'Explosions across Tehran': Visuals capture Israel's preemptive strike on Iran; watch video
Visuals from Iran showed smoke billowing from multiple areas in Iran early on Friday as Israel launched an attack, with explosions resonating throughout Tehran. The strikes targeted nuclear and military installations.
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Tehran residents woke to explosions. State television acknowledged the incident. Smoke was visible near Chitgar, western Tehran. No known nuclear facilities exist there, with situation unclear elsewhere.
While there is still uncertainty surrounding the extent of damage, Iran's primary nuclear enrichment facility was reportedly targetted at Natanz.
The Natanz facility consists of both above-ground and underground sections, housing numerous centrifuge halls for uranium gas enrichment in its nuclear programme.
Israeli Prime Minister
confirmed Israel's responsibility for Friday's attack on the site. Natanz has previously experienced the Stuxnet cyberattack and several suspected Israeli sabotage operations.
Iranian state television reports suggest the leader of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Gen. Hossein Salami may have perished in the Israeli strike. The broadcast indicated that another senior Guard official and two nuclear scientists were also possibly deceased.
State television reported the attack ignited the Revolutionary Guard headquarters.
Netanyahu confirmed multiple targets in the capital, including nuclear and military installations, along with officials overseeing Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
This escalation follows mounting tensions regarding Iran's nuclear programme advancement. The International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors censured Iran on Thursday, their first such action in 20 years, regarding cooperation with inspectors.
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Iran responded by announcing plans for a third enrichment facility and upgrading centrifuges.
Israel has consistently opposed Iran developing nuclear weapons, which Tehran maintains it does not intend to do, despite officials suggesting capability. The US has taken precautionary measures, withdrawing some diplomats from Iraq and offering evacuation options to US military families in the region.
Netanyahu stated via YouTube that operations would continue "for as many days at it takes to remove this threat."
US secretary of state Marco Rubio confirmed Israel's independent action, noting they deemed it necessary for self-defence. "We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio's White House statement declared.
Rubio cautioned Iran against targeting US interests or personnel.
Brent crude prices increased nearly 5% following the attack.
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz acknowledged the operation without specifying targets.
"In the wake of the state of Israel's preventive attack against Iran, missile and drone attacks against Israel and its civilian population are expected immediately," his statement read.
Katz "signed a special order declaring an emergency situation in the home front." "It is essential to listen to instructions from the home front command and authorities to stay in protected areas," it continued.
Both nations closed their airspace.
During the Tehran explosions, President Donald Trump socialised with Congress members at the White House. His awareness remained unclear as he continued greeting guests.
Trump had previously urged Netanyahu to delay action while diplomatic negotiations continued. "As long as I think there is a (chance for an) agreement, I don't want them going in because I think it would blow it," Trump told reporters.
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