a day ago
Israel strikes Iran as US prioritizes its 'interests' in region
Israel launched a series of preemptive strikes against Iran in an attempt to hamstring its nuclear program, the Israel Defense Forces said on Thursday.
Explosions could be heard in Tehran early Saturday morning local time, US wire services and the state-run Nour News reported. Sirens rang out across Israel as well — a warning against what security official Tzvika Tessler said was an anticipated 'significant attack from the east,' though no counterstrike has yet occurred, he said. Defense Minister Israel Katz signed an order imposing a 'special state of emergency,' he told Israeli media in the wake of the attack.
The strike came amid US talks with Iran aimed at preventing the Islamic Republic from developing nuclear weapons.
State Secretary Marco Rubio Thursday night described the Israeli strike as 'unilateral' but said the US was in 'close contact' with allies in the region.
'We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,' he said, adding, 'Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.'
Major US stock market futures sank Thursday night on reports of the attack, while Brent crude oil jumped above $73 a barrel.
President Donald Trump spent the evening participating in the annual Congressional Picnic. In public remarks in days prior, Trump had noted the possibility of Israeli-Iranian hostilities worsening. 'I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen,' Trump said. Earlier this week, the US withdrew personnel from the region, though Trump insisted Thursday that Israel 'didn't tell me anything.'
