Israel attacks Iran in major escalation
Israel said early on Friday that it struck Iran, and Iranian media said explosions were heard in Tehran as tensions mounted over US efforts to win Iran's agreement to halt production of material for an atomic bomb.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel's attack on Iran would 'continue for as many days as it takes'.
'This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat,' Netanyahu said in a video statement, naming the operation 'Rising Lion'.
'We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme. We targeted Iran's main enrichment facility at Natanz... We also struck at the heart of Iran's ballistic missile programme,' he said, adding that Israel had also hit Iranian nuclear scientists 'working on the Iranian bomb'.
Smoke rises in Tehran early Friday. Photo: AP
Israel said it was declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of a missile and drone strike by Tehran.
'Following the pre-emptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate time frame,' Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
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