Israel launches strike on Iran’s nuclear program; regional tensions escalate
Israel has launched a strike targeting Iran’s nuclear program, as confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces. In response, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a special state of emergency, signaling preparations for a potential Iranian counterattack.
“Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,” Katz said.
Air raid sirens were activated in Tel Aviv following the announcement. Explosions were reportedly heard in the Iranian capital of Tehran, according to Iranian state television.
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard feared dead
Iranian state television is also reporting that the head of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is feared dead in the attack.
The Associated Press reports that there are limited details on what happened to Gen. Hossein Salami. Still, the on-air report said another top Guard official, as well as two nuclear scientists, were also feared dead.
Israeli PM releases video statement
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was launched to protect Israel from the threat of Iran.
“If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year, it could be within a few months, less than a year. This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival,” Netanyahu said.
In recent days, Iranian officials warned that any strike on Iranian territory would be met with retaliation and “devastating consequences.”
The attack comes one day after the U.S. State Department told all nonessential staff to leave the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, citing growing security concerns in the area.
U.S. prioritizes troop safety
Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement shortly after Israel’s attack began.
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” he said. “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
Trump warns against military action amid diplomacy
On Thursday, President Trump stated that he advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on a phone call earlier this week against launching an attack on Iran while diplomatic negotiations regarding Iran’s nuclear program are ongoing. Trump said he didn’t know if an Israeli attack on Iran was “imminent” but said he believed “something could very well happen” between Israel and Iran.
“Look, it’s very simple, not complicated. Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said while addressing reporters Thursday.
Trump said he was unsure whether military action could undermine the efforts to resolve the conflict peacefully through diplomacy. Trump posted to Truth Social saying, “We remain committed to a diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue!”
IAEA reports Iranian noncompliance
The International Atomic Energy Agency, a U.N. watchdog, declared Thursday that Iran is failing to cooperate with the U.N. agency’s inspectors and is in breach of its duties per the terms laid out in a 2015 nuclear deal. Tehran has stockpiled 400 kilograms of highly enriched uranium, according to IAEA Chief Rafael Grossi.
IDF officials said they expect the operation to last several days.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
