ISRAEL has launched strikes against Iran in a dramatic escalation risking all-out war in the Middle East.
Explosions rung out and plumes of smoke rose above the capital Tehran after a volley of “preemptive strikes” as part of Operation Rising Lion.
There has been an attack prompted by escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear activities. Donald Trump has even warned of a potential large-scale conflict between Iran and the United States.
Iran has been stockpiling uranium and it is feared they are close to having enough weapons-grade fusion material for as many as 15 nuclear bombs.
The US has already declared it had no involvement in the strikes, which Israel claimed targeted nuclear and military sites.
They said Op “Rising Lion” targeted a nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz and top nuclear scientists.
Fearing a reprisal, Israel has already declared a “special state of emergency”, closing schools and public gatherings and sounding air-raid sirens.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has mentioned that due to Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran, they anticipate a missile and drone assault on the country and its citizens imminently.
In response to this imminent threat, precautionary measures have been implemented throughout the nation. Emergency alerts have been issued via mobile phones instructing Israelis to remain near shelters and avoid open areas to ensure their safety.
Speaking after the blitz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a “decisive moment in Israel’s history”.
On Thursday, the UN’s nuclear watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency censured Iran for failing to work with its inspectors.
Iran’s nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, slammed the resolution as “extremist” and blamed Israeli influence.
Trump, whose administration is in talks with Iran in a bid to hammer out a deal over its nuclear programme, said he had urged ally Israel to hold off as he stressed his commitment to a diplomatic solution.
“I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen,” Trump told reporters at the White House when asked if an Israeli attack loomed.
Trump said he believed a “pretty good” deal on Iran’s nuclear program was “fairly close,” but said that an Israeli attack on its arch foe could wreck the chances of an agreement.
The US has already pulled some diplomats from Tehran and offered evacuations for troops and families stationed in the Middle East.
US and Iranian officials were due to hold a sixth round of talks on the nuclear programme in Oman on Sunday until the negotiations reached a stalemate.
Iran’s breaching nuclear rules
IRAN has been declared as in breach of its nuclear rules for the first time in two decades.
The UN’s atomic watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, passed a resolution on Wednesday condemning Tehran’s “lack of co-operation”.
It is the culmination of several stand-offs between the Vienna-based IAEA and Iran since Trump pulled the US out of a nuclear deal between Tehran and major powers in 2018 during his first term, after which that accord unravelled.
Tehran said it “has no choice but to respond to this political resolution”, and said it would launch a new enrichment site “in a secure location”.
The state said: “Other measures are also being planned and will be announced subsequently.”
An IAEA official said Iran had given no further details such as the location of the site.
It comes as US and Iranian officials are due to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran’s accelerating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday.
The Trump administration has been trying to secure a deal with Tehran aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear programme.
Donald Trump is said to be in advanced talks with Iran over a preliminary agreement that could include provisions on uranium enrichment – terms Israel finds unacceptable.
