Israel, US launch pre-emptive strikes on Iran, dim hopes for nuclear talks

The attack, coming after Israel and Iran engaged in a 12-day air war in June, follows repeated US-Israeli warnings that they would strike again if Iran pressed ahead with its nuclear programmes

Israel and the United States (US) launched a daylight attack Saturday on Iran's capital city of Tehran, with a cloud of smoke rising from the city's downtown. The first apparent strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

 

The US also participated in the strikes, according to a US official and a person familiar with the operation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military operations. However, the full extent of its involvement was not immediately clear. 

 

It is also unconfirmed whether the 86-year-old Khamenei had been in his offices at the time, although an Iranian news wire said he had been moved to a secure location. Khamenei hasn't been seen publicly in days as tensions with the US over its nuclear programme have grown. The attack comes as the US has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear ambitions.

 

Trump had wanted a deal to constrain Iran's nuclear programme, and he sees an opportunity while the country is struggling at home with growing dissent following nationwide protests. Iran had hoped to avert a war, but maintains it has the right to enrich uranium and does not want to discuss other issues, like its long-range missile programme or support for armed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

 

It wasn't immediately clear if Iran would immediately strike back, but it had warned that American military personnel and bases spread across the region would be targets for any retaliation.

 

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described the attack as being done "to remove threats." He did not immediately elaborate.

 

In Tehran, witnesses heard the first blast near Khamenei's office. Iranian state television later reported on the explosion, without offering a cause.

 

Sirens sounded across Israel at the same time. The Israeli military said that it had issued a "proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the state of Israel."

 

More explosions struck Iran's capital after Israel said it was attacking the country. Authorities have offered no casualty information from the strikes.

 

Meanwhile, Iran shut down its airspace after Israel launched an attack targeting the country.

 

The warning to pilots came out as explosions rang out across Tehran, the Iranian capital.

 

The US military declined to immediately comment on the attack.