Israel strikes Iran LIVE: Tehran has vowed retaliation for Israel’s early morning attack on Friday on Iranian military and nuclear facilities that killed several top commandersread more
Israel on Friday launched “preemptive strikes” on Iran, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said in a statement. Residents in the Iranian capital, Tehran, woke up to loud explosions that were heard in different parts of the city.
“Loud explosions being heard in different locations of the capital Tehran,” state TV reported without providing details. AFP correspondents also heard the blasts.
In a warning to Iran, Katz said, “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.”
Two US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to Reuters said Israel had begun carrying out strikes on Iran, and there was no US assistance or involvement in the operation.
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 programme, said he had urged ally Israel to hold off as he stressed his commitment to a diplomatic solution.
Meanwhile, Israel has declared a state of emergency in the country in anticipation of retaliation from Tehran. A statement from the Israeli defence ministry said, “Following 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 term.”