Israel conducts airstrikes on Iran, targets nuclear program

Israel launched a series of airstrikes against Iran early Friday morning local time, targeting locations it said were related to Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a state of emergency shortly after the strikes began, and warned people that “a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the nation, “this operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”

Meanwhile, Iran’s state-run media reported multiple fatalities in the capital city, Tehran.

The United States did not participate in the military operation, but President Donald Trump was briefed on it beforehand.

“We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement. “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.”

Videos circulating on social media appeared to show explosion in eastern Tehran and parts of the broader Middle East. The sound of jets and anti-aircraft missiles can be heard in northern Tehran, according to NBC News.

Trump approved the withdraw of some American personnel from the Middle East earlier this week, noting “it could be a dangerous place.”

Trump on Wednesday accused Tehran of “delaying” talks with U.S. envoys, saying “I’m less confident now than I would have been a couple of months ago” that a deal could be reached to avoid Thursday’s escalation, he told the New York Post.

Tehran, meanwhile, has accused Washington of not being serious in its engagement and not respecting Iran’s right to enrich uranium for what it insists are peaceful purposes.

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