Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced that Israel has launched a pre-emptive strike on Iran, and declared a state of emergency in Israel.
The announcement says: “Following the State of Israel’s pre-emptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.”
Explosions have been heard north-east of Tehran, the Reuters news agency is reporting, citing the Iranian state-run Nour News.
It added the cause of the explosions were not immediately clear.
BBC reporters have also heard from people in Tehran confirming explosions.
Meanwhile, Katz has issued a statement declaring a “special state of emergency” across Israel and expects an attack “in the immediate future”
This is the full statement announcing the strikes on Iran and declaring the state of emergency:
“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.
“Therefore, and in accordance with his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Defense Minister Israel Katz has now signed a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel.
“You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas.”
The US has, however, distanced itself from the attacks.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said:
“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. 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.”
Confirming the attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the airstrikes, which took place early morning Friday in the Middle East, targeted facilities “at the heart of Iran’s nuclear weaponization program” including its main enrichment facility. Netanyahu also said Israel struck the homes of Iranian nuclear scientists. The Israeli leader added that the operation “will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
Iranian state media reported that the Israeli attacks killed Gen. Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, another top Iranian military commander. The strikes also killed two Iranian nuclear scientists, per Iranian state media.
The strikes came even though President Donald Trump had urged Israel to hold off and allow the U.S. to keep pursuing talks with Tehran aimed at curbing its nuclear program, the next round of which was set to be held Sunday in Oman. Trump has long been wary of being pulled into a conflict with the Islamist regime in Tehran; his relationship with Netanyahu has grown strained in part over the Iran challenge.
Although U.S. officials quickly announced that Washington had played no role in the attack, they did not rule out helping Israel defend itself should Tehran strike back.
*This is a developing story.
