...
By Tom O'Connor and Anna Commander
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has initiated "a special state of emergency" after a "preemptive strike against Iran" and warned of potential drone and missile attacks against Israel and civilians.
Newsweek reached out to the White House via email Thursday for comment.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement asserting that U.S. personnel were not involved in the operation and warned Tehran against pursuing retaliatory measures against U.S. positions in the region.
Read More on U.S.
"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran," Rubio said. "We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense."
"President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners," he added. "Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel."
An Israeli military official told Newsweek that the strikes were part of what has been dubbed "Operation Rising Lion," conducted in response to intelligence indicating that Iran had obtained enough material to produce up to 15 nuclear bombs. The alleged buildup, according to the Israeli military official, constituted an "existential threat to the State of Israel."
The operation was said to have involved dozens of strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, military sites as well as military commanders and personnel. The Israeli military official said that sirens had been sounded in anticipation of an Iranian response, noting that hostilities could potentially drag on throughout the night and beyond.
Iranian officials have always denied seeking a nuclear weapon, while Israel has neither confirmed nor denied already possessing nuclear weapons. In recent days, Iran has threatened to unveil a trove of documents allegedly related to Israel's nuclear weapons program.
...
Why It Matters
Tensions in the region have escalated as Iranian Defense Minister General Aziz Nasirzadeh previously warned that Iran could attack U.S. bases if nuclear talks break down with President Donald Trump's administration or if hostilities continues to mount.
Washington and Tehran are set to hold a sixth round of negotiations in Oman on Sunday. Trump had previously discouraged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from taking military action against Iran amid the talks, though the U.S. leader has also in recent days signaled growing pessimism toward the outcome of the negotiations.
What To Know
The statement from Katz read, in part, that "a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel. You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas."
It was reported on Wednesday that the United States Embassy in Baghdad was preparing for an ordered evacuation of nonessential personnel amid security threats in the region.
According to the Associated Press, the attacks on Thursday struck Iran's capital city of Tehran. The intended target was immediately unknown to Newsweek. Among those killed was the head of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Major General Hossein Salami, according to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, along with nuclear scientists Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi, according to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
What People Are Saying
Former Vice President Mike Pence on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday: "Iran must never be allowed to obtain a usable nuclear weapon. The Mullahs in Tehran refused to dismantle their nuclear program. Now it must be destroyed. Our prayers and unwavering support are with Israeli Forces. America Stands With Israel 🇺🇸🇮🇱"
Trump posted to Truth Social on Thursday: "We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir in a statement Thursday: "We have begun this operation because the time has come, we are at the point of no return. We cannot afford to wait for another time to operate, we have no other choice. Recent and past events of history have taught us that when the enemy is attempting to destroy us, we must not turn a blind eye. We need to fight for our existence, freedom was given to those willing to fight for it."
"I warn that anyone who will try to challenge us, will pay a heavy price. We are entering this operation together with one goal in front of us – to secure a safer future for the State of Israel and its civilians, in unified effort and faith, we will win."
Update 6/12/25, 8:30 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines