Topline
Israel launched a series of major military strikes against Iran and its nuclear program on Thursday, killing several top military officials and nuclear scientists in the country, in a move that U.S. officials said was a “unilateral” action by Israel as they denied any involvement by U.S. forces.
A view of a damaged building in the Iranian capital, Tehran, following an attack by Israel.
Timeline
In a statement issued to state media, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khameini decried the strikes, calling them “evil,” and warned that Israel “should expect a severe punishment…as the powerful hand of the Islamic Republic will not let them go.”
Khameini also hailed the nuclear scientists and military officials killed in the attacks, calling them “martyrs.”
Khameini’s statement did not mention the U.S. and said the successors and colleagues of the scientists and military leaders killed in the attack will take over their roles.
An Iranian military spokesperson, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, told the country’s media that the overnight strikes damaged residential buildings and claimed that the Israeli attack had been “carried out with U.S. support,” even as Washington has denied involvement.
Shekarchi added that the Israeli strikes will be met with a “heavy response,” although he did not say if U.S. interests or forces in the region will be targeted.
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed that Iran’s Natanz nuclear sites was targeted by the Israeli strikes and said: “The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country.”
Iranian state media said the commander in chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Gen. Hossein Salami, was killed in the Israeli strikes, along with Gen. Gholamali Rashid, the deputy chief of staff of the Iranian military.
State media reports added that two prominent nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were also killed in the strikes.
Sirens blared across Israel on Thursday night as the country’s defense minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency in the country saying: “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.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement the U.S. is not involved in the strikes and urged Iran to not target U.S. interests or personnel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had launched strikes to target Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility and its nuclear scientists, claiming that the Iranian nuclear program posed “a danger to Israel’s very survival.”
Netanyahu also claimed the attacks were meant to stop Iran “buying for time” in its ongoing nuclear talks with the United States, while praising President Donald Trump’s “leadership.”
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you’ll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
How Have U.s. Government Officials Reacted To The Strikes?
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Israel had taken “unilateral action against Iran,” and the U.S. was not involved in the strikes. He said: “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.” Rubio then said all necessary steps were being taken to protect U.S. forces in the region and added: “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.” Earlier on Thursday, President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the U.S. remained committed to a “Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue,” adding that “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.”
How Have U.s. Lawmakers Reacted To The Israeli Strikes?
In a post on X, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., wrote: “Israel IS right—and has a right—to defend itself!” Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., criticized the strikes saying: “Israel’s attack on Iran, clearly intended to scuttle the Trump Administration’s negotiations with Iran, risks a regional war that will likely be catastrophic for America and is further evidence of how little respect world powers – including our own allies – have for President Trump.” Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I. also called out the attacks, saying: “”Israel’s alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence. These strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians but the stability of the entire Middle East and the safety of American citizens and forces.”
Key Background
The attack comes a day after several U.S. embassies in the Middle East were evacuated over “heightened security risks” in the region. President Donald Trump, who has opposed immediate military action against Iran in hopes a nuclear deal could be reached, said Thursday afternoon, prior to the strike, “it looks like something could very well happen” and that the U.S. was “fairly close” on a nuclear agreement. Trump also said an attack by Israel “could blow” a potential agreement, noting there is a “chance of massive conflict.”
Further Reading
Will Israel Strike Iran? Trump Evacuates 4 Middle East Embassies As Fears Grow (Forbes)
An Israeli military official says his country targeted Iranian nuclear sites (Forbes)
