Strikes on Nuclear Sites and Escalating Regional Conflict

On Friday, Israel launched strikes against Iran, targeting its nuclear facilities and military sites. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of further attacks. Explosions were reported in Tehran, and Iranian state television indicated that Iran's air defenses were fully operational. Reports from Iranian state television claimed the death of a high-ranking Revolutionary Guards corps official and the targeting of the unit's headquarters. Additionally, the report stated that several children had been killed in a strike on a residential area.

Netanyahu, in a recorded video message, declared that Israel had initiated "Operation Rising Lion" to counter the Iranian threat. He stated that the operation would continue until the threat was eliminated. He specified that the strikes targeted Iran's main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz and its ballistic missile program, as well as Iranian nuclear scientists. Air traffic at Tehran's main international airport was halted, and neighboring Iraq closed its airspace and suspended flights. Israel declared a state of emergency, with Defense Minister Israel Katz anticipating potential retaliatory action from Tehran. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport was closed, and Israeli air defense units were on high alert. An Israeli military official suggested that Iran could strike Israel imminently.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Israel acted unilaterally, believing the operation was necessary for self-defense. He emphasized that the US was not involved in the strikes and that protecting American forces in the region was a top priority. President Donald Trump convened a meeting of the National Security Council. Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced the mobilization of tens of thousands of soldiers. Crude oil prices increased as the strikes impacted global markets.

US and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold talks on Iran's uranium enrichment program in Oman. However, these talks appeared to be stalled. Trump had previously suggested that an Israeli strike on Iran was possible, while also expressing hope for a peaceful resolution. He indicated that a deal on Iran's nuclear program was close but that an Israeli attack could jeopardize it. US intelligence had indicated that Israel was preparing for a strike.

Jonathan Panikoff of the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative suggested that the timing of the strikes indicated that Netanyahu believed Israel could not wait for the US to conclude negotiations with Iran. He noted that Iran might respond more strongly than in previous instances. He also pointed out that Rubio's remarks, which did not explicitly support or criticize Israel's actions, were unexpected. The US military is preparing for various contingencies in the Middle East, including the potential evacuation of American civilians. The US had recently reduced embassy staff in Iraq.