Daijiworld Media Network- Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Jun 13: In a dramatic escalation of long-standing hostilities, Israel launched what it described as “preemptive strikes” against Iran in the early hours of Friday, targeting what officials claimed were nuclear-related sites near Tehran. The move has raised serious concerns of a broader regional conflict engulfing the Middle East.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the offensive, stating it was a “targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.” The announcement came shortly after Defense Minister Ian Katz declared that Israel was acting in anticipation of an imminent missile and drone attack from Iran aimed at Israeli civilians.
According to Iran’s state-run Nour News, powerful explosions were heard in and around Tehran around midnight. While Iranian authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the exact nature of the strikes, initial reports suggest high-value infrastructure sites may have been affected.
An unnamed Israeli military source told the Associated Press that the operation was specifically aimed at Iranian nuclear facilities. In response to the unfolding situation, Israel has declared a state of emergency nationwide and mobilized civil defense units in anticipation of retaliatory measures from Iran.
The preemptive assault marks a dangerous chapter in the long-standing Israeli-Iranian standoff over nuclear ambitions. Israel has frequently accused Tehran of secretly developing nuclear weapons capabilities, though it has yet to produce definitive evidence. Iran, for its part, has consistently denied the allegations, insisting its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes — a position supported by U.S. intelligence assessments.
The strikes come at a time when former U.S. President Donald Trump has been spearheading renewed diplomatic efforts to forge a fresh agreement with Iran aimed at curbing its nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief. Talks between U.S. and Iranian diplomats were scheduled for Sunday, casting uncertainty on whether diplomatic momentum can now be sustained.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the United States had no role in the Israeli action. He emphasized that American forces in the region have been placed on high alert and that Washington remains in close coordination with its allies.
“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,” Rubio said in a statement. “President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
Amid rising fears, non-essential staff have begun evacuating from U.S. embassies across several Middle Eastern nations. Yet, despite the heightened alert, Trump maintained a hopeful tone on Thursday, expressing a desire that diplomatic channels with Iran could still remain open.
With tensions at boiling point, the world watches closely, fearing that this confrontation could spiral into a full-fledged regional war.