Israel has launched ‘preemptive strikes' against Iran, defense minister says
'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's Defense Minister Ian Katz said in a statement.
Explosions were heard northeast of the Iranian capital of Tehran in the early hours as the news broke, Iran's state-run Nour News reported.
Israel has long threatened to carry out military action against Iran's nuclear facilities to prevent it from acquiring an atomic bomb, claiming the prospect represents an existential threat.
Iran denies that its nuclear program is aimed at building a bomb.
Tensions have been building at the same time that Donald Trump has been leading efforts to reach a new agreement with Iran aimed at curbing its nuclear program in return for the easing of sanctions.
Any war between Israel and Iran would likely draw in U.S. forces into a wider regional conflict.
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