The Israeli military confirms that the night of Friday has started air strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Dozens of goals all over Iran with connection to the nuclear weapons program and other military facilities have been attacked, the IDF said in a statement according to Times of Israel.
Iranian state television reports on several explosions in the capital Tehran and that Iran’s air defense system is in full preparedness. All air traffic from Tehrans Airport Imam Khomeini has been canceled.
Advertised national emergency
In conjunction with the attack, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the emergency situation throughout Israel to protect the civilian population against Iran’s possible response.
“Following the state of Israel’s preventive attack on Iran, a missile and drone attack is expected against the state of Israel and its civilian population in the immediate future,” Israel Katz said in a statement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has summed up his security cabinet.
“This operation will last as long as required to wipe out the threat,” Netanyahu said in a video -recorded statement.
Stranded negotiations
The attack comes after the US and Iran failed to agree on a new nuclear agreement.
Israel and the United States want Iran to give up their ability to enrich uranium to the levels required to develop nuclear weapons.
According to IDF, Iran has enough enriched uranium to build 15 nuclear bombs within a few days, and that “therefore one must act against this imminent threat”.
Iran has previously warned that they will go to a counter -attack in an Israeli attack – against Israel but also against American interests in the region.
Rubio: US not involved
US Foreign Minister Marco Rubio says during the night that the United States is not involved in the Israeli attacks.
“Tonight, Israel has taken unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in the attacks against Iran and our highest priority is to protect US forces in the area,” he said in a statement.