Israel’s unilateral strikes indicate the collapse of Donald Trump’s efforts to restrain Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and almost certainly scuttled the US president’s efforts to negotiate a deal with Iran that would prevent it seeking a nuclear weapon. On Thursday, Trump noted that a strike by Israel could also compel Iran to make a nuclear deal. “It might help it actually but it also could blow it,” he said. That latter option is now a reality. You can read more here. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards vowed revenge after the killing of its chief Hossein Salami in Friday’s Israeli attacks on the country. The attacks “will not remain unanswered and [Israel] must await harsh and regrettable revenge”, said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in a statement read on state TV. Israeli media is reporting that Friday’s strikes on Iran were enabled by “breakthrough intelligence” obtained by Israel in the past year, according to a senior IDF official. Emmanuel Fabian from the Time of Israel says units were established over the last year, “focused on Iran and preparations for a large-scale strike.” Following Israel’s strike on Iran in October, “the Intelligence Directorate carried out an unprecedented concentration of efforts to build an opening blow against senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists,” the official adds. In a statement, the Israeli military said Iran had been “working for decades to obtain a nuclear weapon. The world has attempted every possible diplomatic path to stop it, but the regime has refused to stop.” The military did not disclose the purported evidence that it had recently accumulated. Israel has fully coordinated with Washington on Iran and notified the United States before its strike on Iranian targets, an Israeli state broadcaster quoted an official as saying. The official, who was not named, told Kan that recent reports of rifts between Israel and Washington were false, but had not been denied as part of a media ruse to confuse Iran. President Donald Trump’s administration sought to distance the United States from Israel’s strikes on Iran - attacks that are likely to complicate Trump’s drive for a nuclear deal with Tehran. Marco Rubio, Trump’s secretary of state, stressed that Israel’s strikes were unilateral. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said in a statement. “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.” Trump has been increasingly at odds with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu over both Iran and his handling of the Israel’s war in Gaza. Trump and Netanyahu spoke on Monday, and Trump told reporters the main topic was Iran. Retaliation by Iran for Israel’s strikes could put US troops and diplomats around the region at risk, given that the United States is Israel’s main backer. Gregory Brew, a senior Iran analyst at the Eurasia Group, has said todays attacks are the largest on Iran since its 1980’s war with Iraq. Israel is launching what appears to be a multi-stage operation. The first step is to destabilize and reduce Iranian capability to retaliate.” He adds that if the goal is to destroy the nuclear program, “there will be more steps.” Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, says Israel launched Operation “Rising Lion” against Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure with the aim of eliminating an existential and immediate threat to the citizens of Israel and the entire world. Speaking to the UN secretary general and members of the security council, Danon said: “This is a moment to make moral decisions. Stand by Israel - or you will be partners in a dangerous silence.” The Iranian regime is blatantly violating international agreements, advancing towards nuclear weapons, and operating a regional terror network.” Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says Israel will receive a harsh punishment after its attack on Iran early on Friday. Khamenei has confirmed that several commanders and scientists were killed in the attacks – and warned that Israel had “prepared a bitter fate for itself.” Iran has shut its airspace until further notice after Israel carried out air strikes on multiple targets across the country, state TV reported. Public relations of Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization announced the closure of the country’s airspace until further notice by issuing aeronautical notices (NOTAM).” Oil prices jumped more than 7% on Friday, hitting their highest in months after Israel said it struck Iran, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East and raising worries about disrupted oil supplies. Reuters reports that Brent crude futures rose $5.29, or 7.63%, to $74.65 a barrel by after hitting an intraday high of $75.32, the highest since 2 April. US West Texas Intermediate crude was up $5.38, or 7.91%, at $73.42 a barrel after hitting a high of $74.35. “The Israeli attack on Iran has heightened the risk premium further,” MST Marquee senior energy analyst Saul Kavonic said. “The conflict would need to escalate to the point of Iranian retaliation on oil infrastructure in the region before oil supply is actually materially impacted,” he said, adding that Iran could hinder up to 20 million barrels per day of oil supply via attacks on infrastructure or limiting passage through the Strait of Hormuz in an extreme scenario. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has said that it is monitoring the situation in Iran and has confirmed that the Natanz enrichment facility is among the targets. The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country.” On Thursday the IAEA issued its strongest condemnation of Iran in 20 years as it said the country had continued to enrich uranium to near weapons-grade levels and had failed to comply with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations. It’s 6.30am in Iran where Israel has launched a number of strikes aimed at “dozens” of targets, including nuclear facilities. Here’s where things stand: Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, said the attack, dubbed Rising Lion, would take “many days” and was aimed at “rolling back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival”. Netanyahu said one target was the Natanz nuclear facility, a key site for uranium enrichment. The Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, announced a “special situation” in Israel after the country launched the strikes and said Israel expected retaliation. Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice, and Israel’s air defence units stood at high alert. Iranian state TV reported that Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami was killed in the strikes and the unit’s headquarters in Tehran had been hit. State TV is reporting that nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were also killed. Iran’s Press TV reports there have been a number of fatalities from Israel’s attack in Tehran. State TV has said several explosions were heard in Tehran and the country’s air defence system are on full alert. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations has said Israel has an ongoing dialogue with the United States but its determination to strike Iran was an independent Israeli decision. Donald Trump will attend a national security council meeting on Friday morning, in the wake of the strikes. Earlier, Trump warned that a “massive conflict” could break out in the Middle East soon if talks over an Iranian nuclear deal break down. Secretary of state Marco Rubio said the US was not involved in the strikes. “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-defence.” World leaders have voiced concern over the strikes. New Zealand’s prime minister, Christopher Luxon, said that the Israeli airstrikes on Iran was a “really unwelcome development”. People in Iran’s capital, Tehran, are reporting hearing explosions boom across the city again, the Associated Press reports. Iranian state media are reporting fresh Israeli attacks in Tehran and Reuters has said that air defence fire can be heard over the city. Israel’s army chief has said the military’s strikes against Iran on Friday may not achieve “absolute success” and warned citizens to brace for likely retaliation from the Islamic republic. “I can’t promise absolute success - the Iranian regime will attempt to attack us in response, the expected toll will be different to what we are used to,” Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said, while calling the strikes on Iran a “historic campaign unlike any other”. Defence minister Israel Katz said Israel was at a “critical juncture” in its campaign against Iran. “This is a defining moment in the history of the State of Israel and in the history of the Jewish people,” Katz said in a statement. We are now at a critical juncture. If we miss it, we will have no way to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons that will endanger our very own existence.” The attack on Iran comes a few days before a new round of US-Iranian talks were due in Oman, aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the standoff over Iran’s nuclear programme, which has expanded rapidly since 2018 Donald Trump withdrew from an international deal constraining the programme. The US president had discouraged Israel from taking military action while the talks were under way, though in the past few days he had expressed pessimism about them. It is unclear whether Washington was given advance warning of Israeli action and whether Trump had given a green light. In his speech, Netanyahu praised Trump for his efforts to prevent Iran acquiring nuclear weapons, and said Israel was acting in both its own and America’s interest. New York Times journalist Farnaz Fassihi is reporting on Iranian statements saying that the country will be “retaliating in force soon with counter strikes.” Gen Shekarchi, a spokesperson of the Armed Forces, said “Israel and the United States will receive a forceful slap.” Iran’s state TV has reported new explosion at the Natanz nuclear facility following the Israeli attack. Earlier black smoke was seen rising over the enrichment facility on state TV. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel targeted the site in Friday’s attack. Despite criticism from some US lawmakers, many other congressional leaders are offering full throated support for Israel’s actions. Democratic senator John Fetterman said “our commitment to Israel must be absolute and I fully support this attack.” We must provide whatever is necessary—military, intelligence, weaponry—to fully back Israel in striking Iran.” Senator Tom Cotton says “We back Israel to the hilt, all the way.” Republican senator John Cornyn has said he is “proud to stand with Israel.” US senator Chris Murphy has said the attack on Iran is “clearly intended to scuttle the Trump Administration’s negotiations with Iran” and “risks a regional war that will likely be catastrophic for America”. The democratic senator said a war between Israel and Iran “may be good for Netanyahu’s domestic politics” but will likely be disastrous for “the rest of the region.” Iran would not be this close to possessing a nuclear weapon if Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu had not forced America out of the nuclear agreement with Iran that had brought Europe, Russia, and China together behind the United States to successfully contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions.” Black smoke has been shown rising over Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz on state TV. It’s not clear how bad the damage is. Iranian state television briefly showed the live picture with a reporter. Natanz is partially above ground, partially below ground, with multiple halls of centrifuges spinning uranium gas for its nuclear program. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said Israel targeted the site in Friday’s attack. Images showing the destruction after the strikes. Here is some of the video that is coming into the Guardian showing explosions around Tehran on Friday morning. US president Donald Trump will attend a National Security Council meeting on Friday morning, the White House said late on Thursday. Earlier, Donald Trump warned that a “massive conflict” could break out in the Middle East soon if talks over an Iranian nuclear deal break down. Trump said on Thursday he was worried that an Israeli strike could “blow” the negotiations, and he confirmed he had ordered some US personnel to evacuate from the Middle East in case of an Iranian counterattack that could include “missiles flying in their buildings”. Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations has said Israel has an ongoing dialogue with the United States but its determination to strike Iran was an independent Israeli decision. When asked in a CNN interview if Israel expected the US to assist Israel in case of an Iranian response, Israel’s US ambassador Danny Danon said: “Don’t think we should go into speculation.” Earlier we heard from the US secretary of state Marco Rubio who stressed that Israel’s strikes on Iran were unilateral and that the US was not involved. Jack Reed, the most senior Democrat on the Senate armed services committee, has condemned Israel’s strikes on Iran, describing them as “alarming” and “reckless”. In a statement, Reed said: “Israel’s alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence.” He added that the issues between Israel and Iran are “complex”, but said “military aggression of this scale is never the answer.” Despite the Trump administration appearing to distance itself from Netanyahu’s decision, some Republicans like Mike Pence, Trump’s former vice-president, have issued a messages of support for Israel’s strikes, saying: “The Mullahs in Tehran refused to dismantle their nuclear programme. Now it must be destroyed.” He is joined by Katie Boyd Britt, a Senate Republican who posted: “Please join me in praying for Israel.” Amid reports that a number of senior officials have died in the Israeli strikes on Iran, state TV is reporting that nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed. State media has also reported that the strikes hit the Natanz nuclear site. No sirens could be heard in Jerusalem early on Friday, though alerts sounded on mobile phones. The distant drone of aircraft however could occasionally be heard through the night sky. Israel’s military chief of staff has said that tens of thousands of soldiers are being called up and warned that anyone who tried to challenge the country will “pay a heavy price”. Iranian state media has confirmed the killing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami in an Israeli strike. One other top Guard official, as well as two nuclear scientists, were also feared dead, the reports say. There has been no officials comment from the Iranian government or Revolutionary Guards. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is one of the main power centres within the country. It also controls Iran’s arsenal of ballistic missiles, which it has used to attack Israel twice during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Fire and smoke were seen at a key site for the Guards in Tehran after the Israeli strikes, state TV reported. “A fire and smoke is being seen at IRGC General Command Headquarters in Pirouzi Street in the east of Tehran,” state TV said. Iran’s state television has said that Hossein Salami, the commander in chief of the Revolutionary Guards, is among four senior officials who appears to have been killed in the strikes. On state TV, the reports are labelled as “unverified”. The Revolutionary Guards are Iran’s elite force who report directly to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Earlier we reported that state TV had confirmed that the Revolutionary Guards headquarters in Tehran had likely been hit. Israeli media are reporting that as well as the strikes, the Israeli espionage service, Mossad, orchestrated a series of clandestine operations within Iran. “These missions were designed to undermine Iran’s strategic missile systems and its air defense capabilities,” i24 diplomatic correspondent Amichai Stein has reported. Barak Ravid from the US publication Axios has said the operations were “deep inside Iran,” and aimed at damaging Iran’s “air defense capabilities.” Iran state TV says children are among those killed in the Israeli attack on residential areas in Tehran. Reports in state media say that the strikes hit Tehran and “several other cities.” The same reports say a revolutionary guards headquarter in Tehran was also hit. The New York Times is reporting that multiple residential apartment buildings in Tehran were hit, and are either demolished or burning. Israel’s strikes on Iran on Friday have likely killed members of Iran’s general staff, including the chief of staff and several senior nuclear scientists, an Israeli defence official said. Barak Ravid from US publication Axios has said that the Iranian military General Staff, including the Iranian Chief of Staff and senior nuclear scientists, were all targeted in the Israeli strikes. Some scenes from Tehran on Friday morning after people in Iran’s capital heard the sound of explosions from Israel’s strikes in the country. A witness in Nantanz, Iran, has told Reuters said multiple explosions were heard near a uranium enrichment facility. Israel has targeted the Nantanz facility, Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement earlier. The facility at Natanz is estimated to be 80-100 metres deep and experts have warned that it would be difficult for Israel to deal an enduring blow to Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities. Some reaction is coming in from around the world. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that the Israeli air strikes on Iran was a “really unwelcome development” and that the conflict raised serious concerns for the Middle East. “That region does not need any more military action and the risk associated with that ... the last thing the region needs is more instability,” Luxon told reporters. Australia’s foreign minister Penny Wong said Australia was “alarmed by the escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran” amid reports of explosions in Tehran. Wong said: “This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that would further exacerbate tensions. We all understand the need, the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program, it represents a threat to international peace and security and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.” Israeli defence minister Israel Katz has said “following the preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV [drone] attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate timeframe.” Therefore, and in accordance with his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Defence Minister Israel Katz has now signed a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel.” Iraqi state media has reported that its airspace has been closed and flights at all airports have been suspended. The US state department said on Wednesday it had ordered the departure of all non-essential personnel from the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, based on its commitment “to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad”. The Israeli air force has said that dozens of air craft took part in an “opening strike” on various areas of Iran. It says the strikes were launched based on “high-quality intelligence, with the aim of damaging the Iranian nuclear program and in response to the Iranian regime’s ongoing aggression against Israel.” Israeli officials have issued a statement, warning of sirens are expected to sound in wide areas of Israel, after the IDF launched an operation against Iran’s nuclear facilities. Every citizen must know what the best protected space is in their vicinity. When a warning is issued, one must enter protected spaces and remain there until an official announcement says it is safe to leave.” Iran’s Press TV reports there have been a number of fatalities from Israel’s attack on Tehran. Iran’s state TV has said several explosions were heard in Tehran and the country’s air defence system are on full alert. Netanyahu has said the operation will “continue as long as necessary”, in his address to the nation. Until we complete the mission of repelling the threat of annihilation that hovers over our heads. I salute from the bottom of my heart the commanders of the IDF and its soldiers, the Air Force, the Intelligence Branch, and the Mossad, for the bold planning of the operation and the determined and powerful execution.” US secretary of state Marco Rubio has said that Israel’s strikes on Iran were unilateral and that the US was not involved. In a statement, he 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. Israel advised us 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 US interests or personnel.” Netanyahu has said Iran has “significant capabilities to harm us” in his address to the nation. And so we have prepared for that as well. I ask for the cooperation of all of you, citizens of Israel. Close cooperation in the coming hours and days. I ask you to strictly adhere to the Home Front Command’s instructions. These instructions save lives. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has addressed the nation, saying the IDF had targted Iran’s leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. He said that Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz had been targeted. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes … We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history. Iranian media say several residential areas in Tehran have been hit, causing fire. Iran has suspended all flights at its main Iman Khomeini airport, state TV says. Meanwhile, Israel has closed its airspace for arrivals and departures until further notice, the Transportation Ministry says. The Israeli military has said it has completed the first stage of strikes that included attacks on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran. Dozens of Air Force aircraft recently completed the opening strike, which included attacking dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in various areas of Iran.” The IDF has been conducting a lengthy process of assessments and preparations for the campaign at the front and in the rear. Civilian resilience will be an important component of the campaign.” In a statement, the IDF said “Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are a threat to the State of Israel and a significant threat to the entire world. The State of Israel will not allow a regime whose goal is the destruction of the State of Israel to possess weapons of mass destruction.” In announcing the operation against Iran, the IDF has claimed that Iran has enough enriched uranium to build several bombs, and it needs to act against this “imminent threat.” An Israeli military official said Israel was striking “dozens” of nuclear and military targets. The official said Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days. On Thursday, the International Atomic Energy Agency issued its strongest condemnation of Iran in 20 years as it said the country had continued to enrich uranium to near weapons-grade levels and had failed to comply with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more-advanced ones. Israel for years has warned it will not allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon, something Tehran insists it doesn’t want. US senator Lindsey Graham, a Trump ally and supporter of Israel, has tweeted “Game on”. An Israeli military official has told Reuters that the air force is striking “dozens” of targets across Iran, including military and nuclear sites. The official has called the Iranian nuclear programme is an existential threat to Israel. Speaking to i24 diplomatic correspondent, Amichai Stein, an Israeli military official said that the country was preparing for “days of battle” with Iran. State TV in Iran has said air defences are on full alert amid reports of explosion in the capital Tehran. Holly Dagres from the Washington Institute has said that reports of strikes are concentrated around north Tehran. CNN has reported that Donald Trump has convened a cabinet level meeting, as US official told multiple media that Israel has begun carrying out strikes on Iran. The officials said there was no US assistance or involvement in the operation. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to provide further information. The Israeli Air Force conducted strikes on Iran on Friday, multiple media reported. Explosions were heard northeast of Tehran early on Friday, the state-run Nour News said, with videos shared online showing explosions in the capital Earlier on Thursday, US and European officials were told that Israel was fully ready to launch a pre-emptive strike targeting Iran’s nuclear programme, even if Washington does not provide direct support. The Trump administration had privately told Israel that it would not participate in a strike, according to Axios. The White House did not have an immediate comment Thursday night. As the explosions in Tehran started, president Donald Trump was on the lawn of the White House mingling with members of Congress. It was unclear if he had been informed but the president continued shaking hands and posing for pictures for several minutes. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has announced a “special situation” in Israel after the country launched strikes on Iran. Explosions have been heard northeast of Iran’s capital Tehran according to, the state-run Nour News. Katz said schools would be closed in the country on Friday There was no immediate word on what was struck. We’ll bring you more information as it arrives.
Author: Jonathan Yerushalmy