Israel hits Iran's nuke sites without US support, Tehran vows retaliation
Israel on Friday launched preemptive strikes on Iran, which the nation called Operation Rising Lion, and said was necessary to wade off the nuclear threat from Tehran's side. Meanwhile, Iran has vowed retaliation and after the strikes killed several, including Iran's Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami.
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| Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. (AP Photo) |
Israel on Friday launched preemptive strikes on dozens of Iranian military sites, including nuclear targets, as tensions in the Middle East dramatically escalated. Calling the operation 'Rising Lion', Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the same will continue for many days as the Jewish nation attempts to roll back the nuclear threat from Tehran's side.
"Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
Loud explosions were heard in the northeast of Teheran, with visuals flooding social media showing showing plumes of smoke plumes if smoke covering the skies Iranian state media confirmed that Iran's Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami has been killed in the Israeli strikes, which they said hit residential areas in Teheran and several other cities. The state TV also said areas in that nuclear scientist Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed in the strikes. It added that some causalities from the residential areas also included children.
The US, meanwhile, confirmed Washington had no role to play in the strikes and that Israel acted unilaterally. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, urged Tehran not to target the US's interests or personnel in the region. He added that Israel had informed the US that the strikes were "necessary for its self-defense".
Meanwhile, in an effort to impose a double-whammy blow on Iran, Israel's spy agency Mossad led a series of covert sabotage operations deep inside Iran in addition to the strikes, Axios reported.
IRAN VOWS RETALIATION, ISRAEL DECLARES EMERGENCY
An Iranian security source told news agency Reuters that Tehran is planning to give a response to Israel that will be "harsh and decisive". The official added that retaliation is being discussed at the highest levels.
Israel, meanwhile, is fully on alert, with Military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir saying that tens of thousands of soldiers have been called up and that they are "prepared across all borders". "I warn anyone who will try to challenge us will pay a heavy price," he told Reuters.
Israel has also issued a national emergency, with Defence Minister Israel Katz asking citizens to obey instructions of the Home Front command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas.
"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 was quoted as saying by the Times of Israel.
TEL AVIV AIRPORT CLOSED, IRAN SHUTS AIRSPACE
In the aftermath of the strikes and possible retaliation from Tehran, Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport has been closed for both departures and landings until further notice, Reuters reported, citing the Israel Airports Authority.
Iran has also closed its airspace until further notice. Additionally, Iraq - which shares borders with Iran - has also closed its airspace and suspended air traffic at all of its airports, the state news agency reported.
WHAT TRUMP SAID ABOUT ISRAEL-IRAN TENSION
US President Donald Trump, who had long been warning Iran to give up its nuclear dreams, warned that there was a "chance of massive conflict" in the Middle East. On Thursday, he said while the US is committed to a diplomatic resolution with Iran, Tehran first needs to "completely give up hopes of obtaining a nuclear weapon".
US President Donald Trump on Thursday said his administration is committed to resolving the Iran nuclear issue through diplomacy but warned that Tehran must completely abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons.
His statement came as Washington and Tehran prepare for a sixth round of talks, set to begin in Onam on Sunday.
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