Israel carried out preemptive strikes on Iran early Friday, targeting nuclear and military facilities, amid escalating tensions and warnings from former US President Donald Trump of a potential "massive conflict" in the region.
Explosions were reported in Tehran, with Iranian state television stating that the country’s air defences were operating at full capacity. Following the strikes, Israel declared a state of emergency. Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran were likely imminent.
"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.
Oil prices surged by up to 6 percent in response to the developments. The strikes came after Trump, speaking at the White House on Thursday, indicated that an Israeli attack might be forthcoming. While he suggested that a deal on Iran's nuclear program was "fairly close," he acknowledged that Israeli military action could either derail or accelerate negotiations.
Trump declined to reveal details of a recent conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but noted, "I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it... Might help it actually, but it also could blow it."
A US official confirmed there was no American involvement in the Israeli strikes.
In a related move, the United States reduced its embassy staff in Iraq, a country long marked by proxy conflict between the US and Iran.
Israel, which views Iran as a fundamental threat, has stepped up its military posture since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, widely believed to have Iranian backing. Netanyahu has vowed a more aggressive stance in response to threats from Tehran.
Tensions increased further after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) accused Iran of failing to comply with its nuclear obligations. Israel called for international action, and European nations may now consider invoking a "snapback" mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions that were eased under the 2015 nuclear agreement.
Iran denounced the IAEA resolution as “extremist,” accusing Israel of influencing the agency. In response, Iran announced plans to construct a new uranium enrichment facility at a secure site and to replace older centrifuges at the Fordo plant with advanced sixth-generation models.
Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent—well beyond the 3.67 percent limit set by the 2015 deal, and nearing the 90 percent level required for nuclear weapons, although still short of that threshold.
