Israel has launched strikes against Iran, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed.
“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,” Rubio said. “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 U.S. interests or personnel.”
Videos shared on social media show smoke in Tehran.
Reports state Israel has declared a state of emergency after conducting the preemptive strikes.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Israel launched Operation Rising Lion to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.”
“This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat,” he said, adding that Iran has enough enriched uranium for nine atomic bombs.
“I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran’s nuclear weapons program. He had made clear time and time again that Iran cannot have a nuclear enrichment program,” Netanyahu added. “Today, it is clear that Iran was just buying time. It refuses to agree to this basic requirement of peaceful nations. That is why we have no choice but to act, and act now.”
This is a developing story.
