Israel has officially announced it has carried out an attack on Iran. According to Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, a state of emergency has been declared in the country.
“There is an immediate possibility of missile and drone attacks on Israeli citizens and the country following Israel’s strike on Iran,” Katz said in a statement.
Iranian state media IRNA reported that a series of explosions were heard in Tehran. According to Israeli military officials, the initial strike targeted Iran’s nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities.
The attack has been described as a “precise and coordinated strike” involving “dozens of targets” across various regions of Iran. An Israeli source told CNN that Israel plans to continue such strikes in a sustained manner.
“This is not a one-day operation,” the source said. The Israeli government reportedly saw this as a militarily and diplomatically appropriate moment to launch the offensive.
Trump says he doesn’t want Israel to attack Iran, but strike ‘could very well happen’
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites “could very well happen” but advised against it, saying the possibility of a deal was “fairly close” if Tehran compromises on its atomic ambitions in ongoing talks with the US.
Trump was speaking after multiple reports that Israel was planning to strike Iran in the coming days and after the US took measures to drawdown on non-crucial staff and family members from its diplomatic missions and military bases across the Middle East.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We’ll trade with them, we’ll do whatever is necessary.
Trump acknowledged that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was considering an Iran strike, adding that such an attack could spark a “massive conflict.”
On whether Israel could attack Iran, Trump said: “I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen.”
Speaking about the chances of reaching a deal with Iran, Trump said that “a pretty good agreement” was possible, but the chances could become more distant if the Israelis attacked Iran.
