Israel launched unprecedented attack on Iran, targeting the heart of nation’s nuclear program and senior military leaders.
The move plunges the Middle East into fresh uncertainty with the real risk of a wider regional war now breaking out.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “Operation Rising Lion” struck Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz, nuclear scientists and what he called “the heart of Iran’s ballistic missiles program.”
Iranian state media are reporting that General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard was among those killed in the attacks.
There was no US involvement or US assistance in the strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.
“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,” he said in a statement.
Iran’s airspace will be closed until further notice, its civil aviation authority said, warning Iranians to avoid visiting airports in person.
Earlier the country said it temporarily closed its airspace over the capital Tehran, according to a NOTAM issued by Iran.
US intelligence agencies had been warning since February that Israel was likely to attempt to strike facilities key to Iran’s nuclear programthis year.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly pushed for a military option to stop Iran’s nuclear program.
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