The Israeli military announced that Iran launched approximately 100 drones toward Israeli territory, which they are working to intercept.
Following the strikes on Iran, a state of emergency was declared in Israel. The U.S. stated it did not play any role in the attacks, which reportedly targeted Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility.
Locations of the operation
According to the BBC, explosions were reported in Tehran around 3:30 AM local time. Iranian state media reported strikes on residential areas and explosions in the northeast of Tehran.
Several hours after the initial attacks, an explosion occurred at the Natanz nuclear facility, located about 225 kilometers south of Tehran.
The New York Times, citing senior Iranian officials, reported that six military bases around Tehran, commanders’ homes, and several buildings in residential areas were hit.
U.S. media Axios quoted a senior Israeli official saying that, alongside intense air strikes, the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad has conducted various covert sabotage operations inside Iran.
These attacks targeted Iran’s strategic missiles and air defense capabilities.
What did Israel say?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation, named “Operation Rising Lion,” as a targeted military effort to repel the Iranian threat to Israel’s existence.
He said the operation would continue “until the threat is eliminated.”
Netanyahu warned that Iran has recently taken unprecedented steps toward weaponizing enriched uranium. “If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon very soon — possibly within months or even less than a year. This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s existence.”
He also thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for opposing Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
An Israeli military official told the BBC that Iran possesses enough nuclear material to produce a bomb “within days.”
Ben Gurion Airport closed
Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv has been closed until further notice.
Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of soldiers have been mobilized and are on alert in border regions.
Zamir called it “a historic operation unlike any before,” aimed at preventing an existential threat from an enemy intent on Israel’s destruction.
Iran’s response
Israeli army spokesperson Effie Defrin said Iran launched about 100 drones toward Israeli territory, which they are trying to intercept.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a written statement condemning Israel’s “devilish and bloody hands” in the crime against Iran, warning that Israel will suffer a “bitter fate.”
According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces said the U.S. and Israel “will pay a heavy price” for the attacks.
Iranian spokesperson Ebrahim Shekari declared, “The armed forces will definitely retaliate against this Zionist aggression” and accused Washington of supporting the attack.
An Israeli official confirmed coordination with Washington regarding the strikes, but U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any involvement or assistance.
Rubio said the U.S.’s top priority is protecting American forces in the region.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated in his first comment after the attacks that the U.S. was aware of Israel’s plans beforehand but played no role in the operation.
Trump also expressed hope that Iran’s leadership will continue negotiations.
Speaking to Fox News, Trump said, “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we hope they return to the negotiating table. We’ll see.”
U.S. issues travel advisory
Due to rising tensions in the Middle East and North Africa, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory urging its citizens in the region to closely monitor security conditions.
The advisory reminded that past crises have caused travel disruptions and security threats for U.S. citizens and warned of potential sudden developments depending on local circumstances.
The State Department recommended that Americans abroad register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to be more reachable in emergencies.
The U.S. government stated it is closely monitoring developments and staying in contact with local authorities to ensure the safety of its citizens.
The warning came amid reports of possible Israeli strikes on Iran and President Trump’s comments about “something happening very soon” in the Middle East.
Potential further attacks
The Wall Street Journal reported that a senior Israeli official warned of a possible strike on Sunday if Iran refuses to halt uranium production.