Israel launches strikes in Iran: Live updates
Israel announced a 'preemptive' strike in Iran on Friday and declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliation.
A number of loud explosions were reported in Tehran, along with missile interceptions.
The IDF said it targeted both military and nuclear sites. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz was among the targets.
News organizations reported last month that Israel had discussed potential strikes on Iranian nuclear sites with the US.
The attack comes after five rounds of US-Iranian talks on Iran's nuclear program failed to produce a breakthrough. The sixth round of negotiations is scheduled for Sunday in Oman.
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Russia Today
2 hours ago
- Russia Today
Unprecedented escalation between Israel and Iran: What we know so far
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out airstrikes on Iran on Friday, to which Tehran responded with a barrage of drones and missiles. West Jerusalem said the attacks aimed to prevent Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. Tehran condemned the Israeli strikes as 'blatant aggression' and vowed a 'crushing' response. The attacks occurred just days before the sixth round of nuclear talks between the US and Iran, planned for Sunday in Oman. IDF bombs nuclear and military sites Early Friday morning, around 200 Israeli fighter jets struck targets across Iran, including a uranium enrichment facility in Natanz. Strikes were also reported at nuclear sites in Fordo and Isfahan, as well as military airfields near the cities of Hamadan and Tabriz. Almost 80 people were killed and over 320 injured in the attacks, according to the Iranian ambassador to the UN. Tehran confirmed the deaths of top military leaders, including Major General Hossein Salami, commander of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and Brigadier General Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Division. Several veteran nuclear scientists were also killed. Iran said only 'superficial damage' was done to the Natanz site. Netanyahu defends 'preemptive' strikes Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, aimed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. 'We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization program,' he said in a statement following the air raids. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said the situation had 'reached the point of no return' due to advancements in Iran's nuclear program. Tehran has repeatedly stated its program pursues only peaceful goals and that it does not seek nuclear weapons. Iran launches missiles at Tel Aviv Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei condemned the strikes as unjustified and accused Israel of killing civilians. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the attacks 'amount to a declaration of war.' The Iranian army launched more than 100 drones at Israel hours after the strikes on its territory, followed by ballistic missile fire. Some missiles broke through Israeli defenses and landed in Tel Aviv. At least one person has been killed and more than 60 injured, according to Israeli media. Israel also carried out additional strikes in Iran throughout the day. Trump hails 'excellent' Israeli operation The US State Department denied American involvement in the Israeli strikes. However, President Donald Trump told Fox News he had been aware of the planned operation and praised its 'excellent' outcome. He criticized Iran for failing to reach a deal on its nuclear program under his '60-day ultimatum.' Russia calls for de-escalation Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke over the phone with Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday afternoon. He condemned Israel's strikes as illegal under international law and expressed condolences for the deaths of civilians in Iran. Putin said Russia would seek to 'advance the de-escalation of the conflict,' according to the Kremlin. The tensions surrounding Iran's nuclear program must be resolved through diplomacy, he added. Nuclear talks in jeopardy Iran suspended its participation in the Omani-mediated negotiations with the US, the sixth round of which was due to take place on Sunday. Trump previously accused Tehran of 'slow-walking' the talks and insisted on complete dismantlement of its nuclear program. Tehran rejected Trump's demands as unacceptable, insisting it would continue nuclear research for civilian purposes.
Russia Today
5 hours ago
- Russia Today
‘Iran has crossed red lines'
Tehran's response to the Israeli air raids on the Islamic Republic has 'crossed red lines,' the Jewish State's defense minister, Israel Katz, has stated, vowing make Iran pay 'a very heavy price' for its actions. Iran launched a massive missile barrage late on Friday in response to a series of Israeli air strikes targeting military and nuclear sites inside the Islamic Republic earlier the same day. The nation's military launched 'hundreds' of projectiles at Israel in multiple waves, according to the Iranian media. Israel Defense Forces, however, claimed that fewer than 100 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel in the two barrages. At least 35 people were injured in the Iranian attack, according to the Israeli medical authorities. One woman is in critical condition, medics said. The city of Tel Aviv appeared to be one of the prime targets for the Iranian strikes. The Israeli authorities confirmed at least seven impact sites within the city area. 'Iran crossed red lines when it dared to fire missiles toward civilian population centers in Israel. We will continue to defend Israel's citizens and ensure that the ayatollahs' regime pays a very heavy price for its criminal actions,' Katz said, commenting to the developments, according to Ynet News. The minister did not announce any specific steps West Jerusalem could take in response. The Israeli strikes early on Friday killed Major General Hossein Salami, the commander of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, according to the Iranian authorities. Several media outlets have claimed that several other high-ranking Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists were killed as well. Tehran blasted the attacks as 'blatant aggression' and vowed a 'crushing' response. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, accused West Jerusalem of starting a 'war' and said that Tehran would not 'allow them to escape unscathed from this great crime.'
Russia Today
5 hours ago
- Russia Today
Netanyahu tells Iranians to revolt
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has urged Iranians to overthrow their government, as unprecedented hostilities erupted between the two countries. Netanyahu made his appeal just hours after Israeli jets bombed nuclear and military sites across Iran, targeting a uranium enrichment facility in Natanz and killing several senior commanders and nuclear scientists. Iran responded with a barrage of kamikaze drones and ballistic missiles, several of which struck Tel Aviv. 'The time has come for you to unite around your flag and your historic legacy by standing up for your freedom from an evil and oppressive regime. It has never been weaker,' Netanyahu said in a video address. 'This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard,' he added. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:To the proud people of Iran,We are in the midst of one of the greatest military operations in history, Operation Rising Islamic regime, which has oppressed you for almost 50 years threatens to destroy our country, the State of Israel. Netanyahu reiterated that the aim of the strikes, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, was to eliminate 'both the nuclear threat and the ballistic missile threat to Israel.' Iran condemned the attack as an act of aggression and vowed 'severe punishment.' DETAILS TO FOLLOW
