Israel launches 'preemptive strike' on Iran's nuclear sites, confirms IDF

This comes a day after US President Donald Trump pulled out troops from West Asia and warned that Israel could soon launch a possible strike at Iran's nuclear sites

Israel on Friday (local time) launched a “preemptive strike” on Iran against the latter’s nuclear programme, Defence Minister Israel Katz announced.

 

Israel’s attack came in the early hours of Friday with explosions booming across Iran’s capital. It comes at a time when the tensions between Israel and Tehran have escalated over its rapidly advancing nuclear programme.

 

Netanyahu says Operation Rising Lion aims to neutralise Iran threat

 

A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated, “Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.” 

 

 

Israel braces for Iranian retaliation, schools shut

 

“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,” CNN reported, citing Katz’s statement. He also announced a “special situation” in Israel over Israel’s attack on Iran, adding that the schools in Israel would remain closed on Friday. 

 

IDF confirms coordinated strikes on nuclear and military sites

 

Taking to X, Israel’s Defence Force (IDF) wrote, “The IDF launched a preemptive, precise, combined offensive to strike Iran’s nuclear programme. Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.”

 

IDF further added, “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 State of Israel has no choice but to fulfil the obligation to act in defence of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past.” 

 

US distances itself from the strike, closes airspace

 

Citing a US official, CNN reported that the US has no involvement or assistance in the strikes carried out by Israel. It has also closed its airspace until further notice, according to the country’s Ministry of Transportation.

 

Trump warned of imminent Israeli action after troop pullout

 

The strike comes a day after US President Donald Trump pulled out troops from West Asia and warned about Israel launching a possible attack. According to a statement from the US State Department, the decision to reduce staffing in Iraq was based on their latest analysis. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth also authorised family members of US military stationed across the region to leave, Bloomberg reported. 

 

Reports say Israel was preparing for strike, officials confirm

 

A New York Times report citing officials from Europe and the United States stated that Israel was preparing to launch a strike on Iran soon.