Israel launched what it called a “preemptive” strike on Iran early Friday, targeting nuclear and military installations, after former U.S. President Donald Trump warned of a possible “massive conflict” erupting in the region.
Loud explosions were heard in Tehran shortly after dawn, according to Iranian state television, which said air defence systems were operating at “100% capacity.” Iranian officials have not yet disclosed the extent of the damage or casualties.
The Israeli government declared a nationwide state of emergency. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that a retaliatory strike by Iran was expected imminently.
“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 televised address.
Oil prices spiked more than 6% following the strikes, adding to global market volatility amid growing concerns of a broader Middle East conflict.
Trump Warns of Escalation
The dramatic escalation comes days after Trump, who is seeking re-election, warned reporters of the growing risk of military confrontation between Israel and Iran.
“I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen,” Trump said Thursday, referencing a potential Israeli strike.
He added that while negotiations with Iran on its nuclear program were “fairly close” to a resolution, a full-scale Israeli attack could derail those efforts.
“I don’t want them going in, because I think it would blow it,” Trump said of Israel. “Might help it actually, but it also could blow it.”
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the United States had no direct role in the Israeli offensive.
Rising Tensions and Diplomatic Fallout
The United States on Wednesday announced a reduction of embassy personnel in Iraq, citing escalating security threats amid the widening conflict.
Iran’s hardline stance was underscored earlier this week when its nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, denounced a new resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as “extremist,” accusing Israel of manipulating the international watchdog.
In response to the IAEA’s criticism, Tehran announced plans to establish a new uranium enrichment facility in an undisclosed secure location. Iran also said it would replace first-generation centrifuges at its Fordo facility with advanced sixth-generation machines.
Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesperson for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, confirmed that uranium enrichment levels remain at 60% — significantly higher than the 3.67% cap agreed upon in the 2015 nuclear deal, though still below the 90% threshold required for a nuclear weapon.
Legacy of a Fractured Deal
The original 2015 nuclear accord, brokered under then-U.S. President Barack Obama, was designed to limit Iran’s nuclear capabilities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump withdrew from the agreement during his first term, reimposing sweeping sanctions that Tehran has since repeatedly defied.
Western nations, including Israel, continue to accuse Iran of covertly seeking a nuclear bomb — a charge Iran has consistently denied.
With the “snapback” clause in the original deal set to expire in October, European powers are weighing whether to trigger the mechanism to reinstate full UN sanctions on Tehran.
The latest developments underscore the widening fault lines in the Middle East, with Israel signaling a more aggressive security posture since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that left hundreds dead and sparked its ongoing offensive in Gaza.
