By JON GAMBRELL and JOSEF FEDERMAN Associated Press
Israel launched a pre-dawn attack on Iran’s capital, causing explosions to reverberate across Tehran as nuclear and military sites were targeted, according to Israeli officials.
The strike comes amidst escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear program, with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors recently censuring Iran for its lack of cooperation with inspectors. In response, Iran announced plans to establish a new enrichment site and upgrade its centrifuges.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the attacks until the perceived threat from Iran is eliminated. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that the U.S. was not involved in the strikes but emphasized the protection of American interests in the region.
Residents of Tehran awoke to the sounds of explosions, with state television confirming the blasts. While the exact targets of the attack remain unclear, reports suggest that Iranian nuclear sites were among those hit.
The Israeli military, without disclosing specific details, confirmed that the operation targeted Iranian nuclear and military installations. The attack led to a spike in oil prices, with Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz warning of potential retaliatory missile and drone strikes against Israel.
Both Iran and Israel closed their airspace following the attack, as President Donald Trump, unaware of the situation, continued to engage with lawmakers at the White House. Trump had previously urged Netanyahu to exercise restraint as diplomatic negotiations with Iran were ongoing.
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