UPDATE: President Trump was reportedly made aware of the attacks in advance and the U.S. was not involved.
"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. 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. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel," Secretary of State Marco Rubio released in a statement.
Ahead of the strikes, the U.S. government evacuated non-essential personnel from military bases and U.S. embassies in the region.
***Original story***
Israeli strikes inside Iran have begun after the regime refused to give up its quest for a nuclear weapon while continuing to threaten Israel and the United States. The operation is to "remove the Iranian threat," with the targeting of the nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities. A top Iranian military official was also targeted in a precision strike. At the end of the strikes, it's reported there will "be no nuclear threat."
Smoke seen rising from several sites across the Iranian capital of Tehran, following strikes by the Israeli Air Force. pic.twitter.com/9DkweHmHIJ
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) June 13, 2025
BREAKING 🔴
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 13, 2025
Targeted strike on a building in Tehran pic.twitter.com/WBgGHFTtc7
The Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed the news Thursday night as the country braces for a response.
Defense Minister Israel Katz immediately declares a special state of emergency in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel*
Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.
Therefore, and in accordance with his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Defense Minister Israel Katz has now signed a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel.
You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas.
At this moment it is unclear if the United States is aiding in the attacks, but President Donald Trump said Thursday Iran would need to give up hopes of obtaining a nuclear weapon.
"We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon," Trump said on Truth Social. "Thank you for your attention to this matter!"
Earlier in the day Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff was scheduled to meet with Iranian negotiators in Oman on Sunday. Witkoff warned a retaliatory response from Iran could overwhelm missile defense programs in Israel, resulting in civilian casualties.
On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iran was on the path to what "looked like" a nuclear weapon during testimony on Capitol Hill.
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker reiterated that point Thursday morning.
"Given a nuclear weapon, we fully expect they would use it": @USAmbNATO reacts as U.S. pulls military families from Middle East bases amid rising tensions with Iran pic.twitter.com/v5qslvG82I
— FOX & Friends (@foxandfriends) June 12, 2025
Widely available public information also backs up the assessment.
Goes almost without saying, but Iran’s mask is slipping that it can responsibly retain enrichment or needs it for civil purposes.
— Andrea Stricker (@StrickerNonpro) June 12, 2025
These moves will greatly enhance its ability to build many more nuclear weapons quickly—and that figure is currently at 22. https://t.co/eipAg6ApYA pic.twitter.com/YB7VA2XTn9
This is a breaking story, stay tuned for updates.
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