Israel launches strikes against Iran as nuclear program talks falter

USA Today

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Israel launches strikes against Iran as nuclear program talks falter
Israel launched a military operation against Iran on the evening of June 12, according to news reports.
Iran's state-run news agency reported explosions were heard in Teheran, Iran's capital, according to Reuters. CNN and the New York Times also reported explosions and Israel's defense minister saying that an attack was underway.
Israel has been warning for more than a decade it would attack Iran's nuclear program and energy facilities if they reached a stage where they could be weaponized. The two countries are longtime foes.
The operation comes as the Trump administration has sought a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program. International watchdogs say Iran has continued to enrich uranium to near-weapons level. President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff meet with Iranian officials for five round of talks aimed at reaching a deal.
'Constructive' and 'positive': What to know about the rare US-Iran nuclear talks
It was not immediately clear if the Pentagon assisted Israel with its operation, though there were no signs it had. Israeli officials and White House spokespeople either declined comment or were not immediately available.
There was no immediate diplomatic or military response from Iran. It claims its nuclear program is for civilian energy purposes only, a claim that is regarded skeptically in the international community.
Ahead of the operation, the U.S. appeared to anticipate that Iran could retaliate on certain American military sites in neighboring Iraq. The State Department issued a travel advisory on June 11 that ordered non-emergency government officials to exit Iraq due to "heightened regional tensions."
Trump spoke about Iran at an appearance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on June 11, telling reporters Americans were advised to leave the region "because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens." Trump reiterated the U.S. did not want Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. "We're not going to allow that," he said.
More: Will Israel attack Iran? Trump warns of 'massive conflict' over nuclear program
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has for years argued against a nuclear pact with Iran. Israel and Iran have been sworn enemies since Tehran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. Former President Barack Obama struck a deal with Iran and world powers in 2015 that limited the scope of Iran's uranium enrichment program. Netanyahu objected to that accord, claiming Iran couldn't be trusted to abide by its terms, though the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, said it was working. Trump exited the agreement during his first term.
UN nuclear watchdog: Iran in breach of non-proliferation obligations
In a late May report, the IAEA estimated Iran had enriched uranium up to 60% purity. That is very close to the 90% enrichment level required to build a nuclear weapon. The IAEA declared June 12 Iran was not complying with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations and passed a resolution against the country for the first time in 20 years.
Israel and Iran targeted each other with missiles and drones in October 2024 in connection with the killings of the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas − Iranian-backed armed groups.
This is a developing story and will be updated.