Israel has launched a major aerial assault on Iran, targeting dozens of nuclear facilities, military bases and command centres across the country. The strikes, which began in the early hours of Friday morning, were described by Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as a “pre-emptive strike” to neutralise Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons and prevent what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called a “point of no return.”
Warning sirens have sounded throughout Israel, including in Jerusalem, as the government braces for possible Iranian retaliation. Defence Minister Israel Katz declared a state of special emergency, warning that a counterattack was expected imminently. The IDF ordered the closure of all schools and workplaces except those deemed essential, and banned mass gatherings. In central Jerusalem, residents were seen huddling in underground shelters.
The IDF said the operation’s primary objective was to disable Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, though it also targeted key military commanders and bases. According to Israeli intelligence, Iran has enriched enough uranium to weaponise for up to 15 nuclear bombs within days. Officials said the strikes caught Iran off guard, hitting sites “they did not expect.”
In Tehran, residents reported hearing multiple large explosions. Iranian state media showed images of smoke and fire rising from military facilities near Chitgar Lake and other parts of the capital. Fighter jets reportedly scrambled to intercept the Israeli warplanes. Civilian air traffic over Tehran was halted, and eyewitnesses in eastern Tehran reported at least five powerful blasts.
The Israeli offensive came just a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency censured Iran for breaching its nuclear non-proliferation commitments. Israeli intelligence believes that in recent weeks, Iran had reportedly coordinated with Hezbollah, Hamas and other proxies to prepare for a large-scale attack from multiple fronts, including through Egypt and Jordan. Israeli military officials said this planning constituted an existential threat that prompted the operation.
Despite longstanding cooperation between Israel and the United States, it remained unclear whether Washington had prior knowledge of the timing of the attack. Israeli officials declined to confirm whether the operation was fully coordinated with the US, though the two countries have maintained close strategic ties. A US official later confirmed the strikes were underway and said no American aircraft were involved.
President Donald Trump, who had previously urged Israel to avoid military action while diplomatic negotiations were ongoing, said earlier on Thursday that an Israeli strike might “blow” the chance for a deal with Tehran, although he admitted it “might help it, actually.” Trump had opposed earlier Israeli plans to strike, insisting the US needed more time to reach a new agreement with Iran. Talks had been led by Trump’s chief negotiator, Steve Witkoff, with a new round of discussions planned for Sunday in Oman.
US officials said they were aware a strike was likely and had been briefed on Israeli intentions, though it was not clear whether Trump made any final effort to prevent the attack. On Wednesday, the US withdrew diplomats from Iraq and allowed the voluntary departure of American military families stationed elsewhere in the region. The UK also issued a warning about possible dangers to maritime traffic in the Persian Gulf.
Also read
- Who is Googoosh? Iranian pop icon says her next music will release only after Islamic Republic's fall
- How Lashkar comes into the picture as Israel wants India to designate Hamas a terrorist organisation?
- Did Iraq remove Hezbollah and Houthis from sanctions list after pressure from Iran?
- Meet the new Mossad chief: Inside the appointment of Israel's new spy chief Roman Goffman
Israel had reportedly spent months planning the attack, taking advantage of vulnerabilities in Iran’s air defences, which were weakened during Israeli operations last year. While the IDF insists the operation is limited to military and nuclear targets, Israeli sources stressed there is no intention to topple the Iranian regime.
At 3am, Israel confirmed the military strikes, while Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, said he would remain at the embassy in Jerusalem overnight, “closely following” developments.