Israel conducts 'preemptive strike' on Iran: Israeli defence minister
JERUSALEM: Israel launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran, the country's defence minister said early on Friday (Jun 13), after US President Donald Trump had warned that Israel could soon strike Iran's nuclear sites.
"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," Israel Katz said.
Two US officials told Reuters there was no US assistance or involvement in the operation. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to provide further information.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
30 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Trump and Japan PM discuss tariffs, Israel's attacks against Iran
FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 7, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura/File Photo WASHINGTON - Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call on Friday in which they discussed tariffs and Israel's attacks against Iran, the Japanese foreign ministry said. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Trump has sought to leverage his tariff threats to strike bilateral trade deals with many countries, including U.S. ally Japan. Japan will remain steadfast in its request for a review of U.S. tariffs and would not accept a partial agreement, Tokyo's chief tariff negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said on Friday. On the diplomatic front, the two leaders agreed remain in close communication on Israel's strikes against Iran that began late on Thursday U.S. time and on Friday Middle East and Asia time. Japan has condemned Israel's strikes by calling them escalatory while the U.S. has called those a form of "unilateral action" and said Washington was not involved. KEY QUOTES "Prime Minister Ishiba reiterated Japan's views on the U.S. tariff measures, taking into account the results of the Japan-U.S. Consultations on the U.S. Tariff Measures to date," the Japanese foreign ministry said. It added that the two leaders "concurred to accelerate the consultations between the ministers in charge in order to achieve a mutually beneficial agreement." A White House official confirmed from the U.S. side the call had taken place on Friday. The Japanese foreign ministry added that the two leaders agreed on the importance of peace and stability in the Middle East. CONTEXT Trump and Ishiba are expected to meet in Canada on the sidelines of the Group of Seven meeting next week. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Japan, US to 'accelerate' trade talks after Trump-Ishiba call
TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and US President Donald Trump agreed on Friday (Jun 13) to speed up discussions on a bilateral trade deal, amid heightened global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. The two leaders held a phone call ahead of their planned meeting on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit, set to begin Sunday in Canada. 'We agreed to accelerate discussions toward realising an agreement that would be beneficial to both Japan and the US,' Ishiba told reporters after the call, which was initiated by Tokyo. TRADE TENSIONS AND TARIFFS Japan, a key US ally and its largest investor, has been subject to a baseline 10 per cent tariff imposed by Trump on most trading partners, as well as steeper levies on autos, steel and aluminium. In April, Trump announced an additional 24 per cent "reciprocal" tariff on Japanese imports but paused enforcement until July. Despite five rounds of talks, both sides remain far apart. Japan insists that all Trump-announced tariffs must be lifted for any agreement to proceed. 'Our position remains unchanged,' Ishiba said. Tokyo's trade envoy Ryosei Akazawa had earlier told reporters in Washington that 'some progress' had been made but that 'we've not been able to find a point of agreement yet.' G7 SUMMIT AND MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS Ishiba said the upcoming G7 summit would be a chance to deepen dialogue on the bilateral relationship. The leaders also discussed Israel's military strikes on Iran, and according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, reaffirmed that 'peace and stability in the Middle East is extremely important.'
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Macron says UN conference on Israel-Palestinian issue postponed after attack on Iran
FILE PHOTO: The United Nations flag is seen during the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York City, New York, U.S., September 24, 2019. REUTERS/Yana Paskova/ File Photo French President Emmanuel Macron holds a press conference, at the Elysee Palace, in Paris, Friday, June 13, 2025. Michel Euler/Pool via REUTERS Macron says UN conference on Israel-Palestinian issue postponed after attack on Iran PARIS/RIYADH - A United Nations conference hosted by France and Saudi Arabia to work towards a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians has been postponed after Israel launched a military attack on Iran, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday. Two sources had earlier told Reuters that the conference would be postponed after Israel's attacks because logistically it would be difficult for countries in the region to attend. Israel launched a huge wave of airstrikes across Iran on Friday, targeting Iran's huge underground nuclear site, reportedly killing its entire top echelon of military commanders and nuclear scientists in the biggest ever direct attack between the foes. "This postponement cannot undermine our determination to move forward with the implementation of the two-state solution," Macron told a news conference. "Whatever the circumstances, I have stated my determination to recognise the State of Palestine." Macron said logistically the Palestinian Authority and Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman were simply not able to travel given the military escalation in the region. He said the meeting would be rescheduled as quickly as possible. France and Saudi Arabia had been set to host the gathering between June 17-20 in New York, aiming to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security. Macron, who had been set to attend on June 18, has previously suggested France could recognise a Palestinian state in Israeli-occupied territories at the conference, a move opposed by Israel. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration sent a diplomatic cable earlier this week to discourage governments around the world from attending the conference, according to a U.S. cable seen by Reuters. It had also warned of possible consequences for those who took measures against Israel, raising pressure on the participants and making Macron's potential decision to recognise a Palestinian state more complicated. Macron could still at one point go ahead with becoming the first Western heavyweight to recognise a Palestinian state, but the desire in Paris is to have a collective momentum. Diplomats say this could lend greater weight to a movement hitherto dominated by smaller nations generally more critical of Israel. Macron's stance has shifted amid Israel's intensified Gaza offensive and escalating violence against Palestinians by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, and there is a growing sense of urgency in Paris to act now. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
