Politics
BREAKING: Israel Launches Strikes On Iran
Israel has launched a number of preemptive strikes on the Iranian capital of Tehran just hours after President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to working out a diplomatic solution.
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israel expects an imminent counterattack involving missiles and drones. “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,” Katz said in a public statement.
Shortly after the announcement was made, air raid sirens could be heard in Tel Aviv in anticipation of the likely counterattack.
A US official told ABC News that the United States was not involved in the operation and did not assist with the Israeli strike.
Footage from the Iranian capital of Tehran shows multiple air and missile strikes hitting precision targets. It is unclear whether the Israeli military is targeting Iranian missile launcher and air defense sites, senior personnel, or the regime’s nuclear sites.
Middle East war alert
Video, Moments after Israel strikes IRAN’s Capital of Tehran
Israeli Forces: “At the end of the operation there will be no nuclear threat” pic.twitter.com/7FIt8npkWL
— Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) June 13, 2025
The strikes come just ahead of planned nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, which were scheduled for this weekend. Just hours before the strikes, President Trump reiterated his commitment to a diplomatic solution after publicly urging Israel to show restraint just a few weeks ago.
“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 posted on social media Thursday.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday, ahead of the strike, his country will continue to enrich uranium and vowed to rebuild facilities should they be destroyed.
Early video from Tehran appears to indicate that at least some of the strikes were targeted at senior Iranian officials. Israeli media reported that Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri was among those killed in the attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the Israel Air Force targeted Iran’s primary uranium enrichment facility at Natanz.
RIGHT NOW:
Chaos in Western Tehran. A high ranking regime figure has been assassinated.
— 𝗡𝗶𝗼𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗿𝗴 ♛ ✡︎ (@NiohBerg) June 13, 2025
هماکنون نوبنیاد تهران pic.twitter.com/TkrvGndzeo
— LiveIranNews (@IranNewsAgency0) June 13, 2025
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that the United States had no involvement in the strikes and advised Iran not to retaliate against U.S. interests.
“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,” Rubio announced in a press release. “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.”
This is a developing story.
