Missile warning sirens were activated in a Saudi Arabian region that hosts a major US military base on Monday, hours after Israel launched strikes targeting sites in central and western Iran.

Saudi state media reported the alert in Al Kharj governorate, home to Prince Sultan Air Base, a key military facility that hosts US forces. Authorities did not immediately provide details on what triggered the warning.

The alert came amid heightened tensions across the Middle East following Israeli military action inside Iran.

Israel said its air force carried out strikes against military targets belonging to the Iranian regime in western and central parts of the country. In a brief statement issued as the operation began, the Israeli military said its air force had struck military objectives but did not disclose further details.

Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj and Tabriz, according to Iranian state television. The broadcaster did not immediately provide information on the targets or the extent of any damage.

A witness in Tehran reported hearing at least one large explosion west of the Iranian capital. Following the strikes, Iranian authorities closed the airspace around Imam Khomeini International Airport, the country's main international gateway.

Iranian officials did not immediately release details on what had been hit or whether there were casualties.

Meanwhile, Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard claimed Israel used air-launched ballistic missiles during the attack, though it offered no additional information.

The White House also did not immediately respond to questions on the strikes or whether the operation had been coordinated with the United States.

With AP inputs