Israel is preparing to defend its airspace after Iran said it had launched dozens of missiles and drones towards its enemy.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRG) said it was responding to an “attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus” on 1 April.
Two generals and seven members of the IRG were killed in the strike, which Tehran blamed on Israel.
Israel has not publicly commented.
The IDF said on Saturday evening that an Iranian attack had begun, as did the White House.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has convened his war cabinet, his office announced.
Dozens of drones were seen flying from Iran, through Iraqi airspace and in the direction of Israel, two Iraqi security sources told Reuters.
The drones are carrying 20kg of explosives each, Amos Yadlin, a retired general in the Israeli air force, told Channel 12 TV.
Israeli aviation authorities said the country’s airspace was being closed to all flights.
Wing of Zion – Israel’s version of Air Force One – is airborne because of “operational considerations”.
US President Joe Biden is meeting national security officials and members of the Cabinet at the White House, which said it would “support” Israel’s defence.
Earlier, Israel called off school trips and other youth activities planned for the coming days.
Jordan said it was temporarily closing its airspace, state media reported.
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