ISRAEL HITS IRAN’S NUCLEAR SITES

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday the United States was not involved in Israel’s strikes against Iran while also urging Tehran not to target US interests or personnel in the region.

“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,” Rubio said in a statement.

“Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” he added. 

Israel early on Friday said that it struck Iran, and Iranian media said explosions were heard in Tehran as tensions mounted over US efforts to win Iran’s agreement to halt production of material for an atomic bomb.

Israel said it was declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of a missile and drone strike by Tehran.

An Israeli military official said Israel was striking “dozens” of nuclear and military targets. The official said Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days.

“Following the preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate timeframe,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.

Two US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said Israel had begun carrying out strikes on Iran and there was no U.S. assistance or involvement in the operation.

CNN reported that US President Donald Trump was convening a cabinet meeting.

Crude oil prices jumped more than $3 a barrel on the news.

Iran’s state TV said several explosions were heard in Tehran and the country’s air defence system was on full alert. 

Explosions were heard northeast of Iran’s capital Tehran early on Friday, the state-run Nour News said.

The Israeli Air Force has reportedly conducted a strike in Iran, the Axios news agency reports, citing two unnamed sources with knowledge of the operation.

Two unnamed US officials have also told the Reuters news agency that Israel has carried out an attack in Iran. The officials said Washington did not assist in the attack and declined to provide further details.

The Israeli military is yet to publicly confirm the attack. But in a post on X, the military announced that Israel’s civil and public security guidelines had been changed to “essential activity” as of 03:00 local time (00:00 GMT).

“The guidelines include: a ban on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential businesses,” it said.