Israel strikes dozens of targets in Iran, including nuclear program: IDF
https://www.yahoo.com/news/israel-co...151639544.html
Israel said it has launched a series of strikes against Iran that included dozens of military targets, including the country's nuclear program, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
The IDF said the operation, titled "Rising Lion," comes after intelligence identified that Iran has "significantly advanced towards obtaining a nuclear weapon," alleging this capability would allow them to act against Israel.
Israel estimates Iran now has enough enriched material for several nuclear bombs, the IDF and an Israeli official familiar with the operation told ABC News.
Defense Minister Israel Katz described the strikes as "preemptive" and declared a state of emergency.
"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 statement.
Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv following the announcement.
U.S. was not involved in Israel's strikes, officials say
The U.S. did not provide any assistance or have any involvement in the Israeli strike, two U.S. officials told ABC News.
Sec. of State Marco Rubio released a statement following the strike, saying, "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."
Rubio said the U.S. was advised by Israel 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," Rubio said.
Why Israel says they preemptively attacked Iran
In a video message on Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country had no choice but to stage a preemptive strike on Iran's nuclear program.
"In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponize this enriched uranium, and if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time," he said. "It could be a year. It could be within a few months, less than a year. This is a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival," he said.
The strikes come as the U.S. has planned nuclear talks with Iranian officials this weekend.
Before the strike, President Donald Trump spoke of the negotiations on Thursday, saying in a social media post, "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."
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday, before the strike, his country will continue to enrich uranium and vowed to rebuild facilities should they be destroyed, as tensions in the Middle East have escalated.
"We will go our own way, and we will have the enrichment," Pezeshkian said during remarks in Ilam, a western province of Iran.
"We will build this country with these very young people. It's not like if, for example, someone bombs our place, that's the end of it. All this is in mind. Whatever they do, we will rebuild," Pezeshkian added.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was asked about the possible military action during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday.
"What I know is that Bibi Netanyahu is going to put his country first, and we're going to put our country first, and we're positioned properly in the region ... for any potential contingency," Hegseth said of Israel's prime minister.
Hegseth added that the U.S. and President Donald Trump remain "committed to creating the conditions for peace."
Bibi defies Donnyboy and attacks Iran
