Israel strike live updates: Israel launches dozens of strikes in Iran, IDF says
Early Friday morning, local time, Israel launched dozens of strikes against Iran and declared a state of emergency, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz.
"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," Katz said in a statement.
Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv following the announcement.
The U.S. did not provide any assistance or have any involvement in the Israeli strike, a U.S. official told ABC News.
Top House Republican leaders are voicing support for Israel's strikes on Iran.Speaker Mike Johnson posted an Israeli flag on X and said, "Israel IS right—and has a right—to defend itself!Majority Leader Steve Scalise said he stands with Israel."Iran has refused to dismantle its nuclear program, which puts America at risk and poses an existential threat to Israel. Tonight Israel is taking action to defend itself, and we stand with Israel. Our prayers are with them and all American personnel in the region," Scalise said in a post on X.Echoing Trump administration officials, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers said the U.S. was not involved in the strikes."The U.S. was not involved in the strikes, but our forces stand ready to defend themselves and our ally Israel," Rogers said in a statement.-ABC News' Lauren PellerThe head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Gen. Hossein Salami was killed in Israeli strikes on Iran, Iranian state TV reports.
Also killed was Dr. Fereydoun Abbasi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization, according to Iranian state TV.
Israel has not confirmed the deaths.
A senior security official said, "There is a growing likelihood that the Iranian General Staff, including the Iranian Chief of Staff, and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the opening blow."During a televised address, Israel Defense Forces Chief Eyal Zamir said the military was calling up "tens of thousands of soldiers" and was "prepared across all borders." The official went on to say, "I warn that anyone who will try to challenge us, will pay a heavy price."Following Israel's series of strikes on Iran, the U.S. Embassy in Israel has directed all American government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice."The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness – including knowing the location of the nearest shelter in the event of a red alert as security incidents, including mortar, rocket, and missile fire, and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) intrusions, often take place without any warning," the embassy said in a statement, adding, "The security environment is complex and can change quickly."A senior Israeli security official told ABC News that the Iranian General Staff and senior nuclear scientists were likely killed in the first of the series of Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear targets. "There is a growing likelihood that the Iranian General Staff, including the Iranian Chief of Staff, and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the opening blow," the official said.-ABC News' Dana HughesThe president's schedule released by the White House late Thursday showed that he would meet with the National Security Council in the Situation Room at 11 a.m.As of now, the meeting is not open to cameras or reporters.The State Department has launched a Middle East task force focused on potentially evacuating American citizens from the region, two department officials told ABC News.'The Department continuously plans for a wide range of situations for regions with heightened tensions,' one official said.-ABC News' Shannon KingstonIn a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country had no choice but to stage a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear program.'In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponize this enriched uranium, and if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time,' he said.'It could be a year. It could be within a few months, less than a year. This is a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival,' he said.
There has been no comment yet from President Trump or the White House, but reporters could sense activity in the West Wing.There was a Marine standing guard outside as it got close to 10 p.m., signaling Trump was still present, but the guard has now left.A "lid" has been called, meaning the White House has told pool reporters there will be no further movements or on-camera statements from the president – but that could change.-ABC News' John Parkinson
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