Israel launched what he called “preventive attacks” against Iran on Friday (13), local time, and declared a state of emergency in Israel, according to the country’s defense minister Israel Katz.
“After Israel’s state preventive attack against Iran, an attack with missiles and drones against the state of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the near future,” Katz said in a statement.
Iranian state news agency Irna reported that repeated explosions were heard in Tehran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel reached nuclear targets in Iran and said the operation
“A few moments ago, Israel launched Operation Lion Ascending, a military operation directed to contain the Iranian threat to Israel’s own survival,” Netanyahu said in a televised speech.
See what is known about the attacks from Israel to Iran:
aiming at its nuclear program and its long -range missile abilities, according to an Israeli military officer and an Israeli military source. “This is not a one -day attack,” the military source told CNN.
Target
An Israeli security source informed reporters that the leading military leaders of Iran, as well as high -ranking nuclear scientists, have been targets in the early attacks and that “chances are increasing” that they have been eliminated.
General Hossein Salami, Chief Commander of the Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC), was killed in the attacks, according to reports from several Iranian state communication vehicles.
Iranian state media photos and videos show what appear to be apartments in flame apartments and large columns of smoke coming out of the Natanz nuclear plant in Iran. Large crowds were seen gathered on the street in front of the buildings while firefighters run to erase the flames.
Possible retaliation
Israel declared a state of emergency, preparing for potential retaliation of Iran, closing schools, prohibiting agglomerations and advising out non-essential work.
Israeli hospitals have received orders to interrupt outpatient and non -urgent activities and move to protected areas, and the Israeli army is calling “tens of thousands” of soldiers to prepare for what is to come.
USA
President Donald Trump and high White House employees were waiting for Israeli attacks, two sources familiar with the matter said CNN.
In the attacks, said Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday (12).
The US and Iran were in nuclear negotiations, with the sixth round of negotiations scheduled for Sunday in Oman. It is unclear if they will still occur.
*Update
