Israel says it launched ‘preemptive strike’ on Iran
Israel launched a “preemptive strike” on Iran, the country’s defense minister said early Friday, after US President Donald Trump had warned that Israel could soon strike Iran’s nuclear sites.
“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,” Israel Katz said.
Israel declared a state of emergency on Friday, warning of retaliatory action from Tehran after the Israeli attack on Iran.
Two US officials said that Israel has begun carrying out strikes on Iran, adding that there was no US assistance or involvement in the operation.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to provide further information.
Iranian state TV reported that explosions were heard Friday morning in the Iranian capital Tehran, but the reason behind the blasts was not immediately clear.
“Loud explosions being heard in different locations of the capital Tehran,” state TV reported without providing details.
The blasts took place after US President Donald Trump warned that Israel could soon strike Iran’s nuclear sites.
Trump, whose administration is in talks with Iran in a bid to hammer out a deal over its nuclear program, said he had urged ally Israel to hold off as he stressed his commitment to a diplomatic solution.
“I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if an Israeli attack loomed.
Trump said he believed a “pretty good” deal on Iran’s nuclear program was “fairly close,” but said that an Israeli attack on its arch foe could wreck the chances of an agreement.
US Middle East pointman Steve Witkoff is set to hold a sixth round of talks with Iran on Sunday in Oman, which has mediated efforts towards a nuclear deal so far.
The United States and other Western countries, along with Israel, have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, which it has repeatedly denied.
Israel again called for global action after the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency accused Iran on Wednesday of non-compliance with its obligations.
Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, slammed the resolution as “extremist” and blamed Israeli influence.
