Sounds of explosions and air-raid sirens were heard in Tehran for the first time Saturday night, RIA Novosti reported.

On the night of June 13, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a large-scale operation dubbed “Rising Lion,” in which the air force is striking military targets and facilities of Iran's nuclear program. Israeli authorities said the operation is aimed at preventing a threat to the existence of the Jewish state, as according to Israeli military and intelligence reports, Iran has come close to the “point of no return” in developing nuclear weapons within a short time.

Iran responded with Operation True Promise III, launching rocket attacks into Israeli territory.