Israel said Thursday that it launched a “preemptive strike” against Iran, raising the specter of a broader regional conflict between the long-time Middle East adversaries.
In a statement, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a “special state of emergency” in the country in anticipation of Iranian retaliation for the strike.
The targets and the extent of the attack were unclear. It had been expected that were Israel to attack Iran, it would target nuclear facilities at the heart of negotiations between the Iranian government and the Trump administration.
A U.S. official, granted anonymity to discuss an evolving situation, said that the U.S. played no role in the Israeli strikes.
Earlier Thursday, President Donald Trump had said his administration remained committed to a diplomatic resolution and to negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran, however he also said that an Israeli strike against Iran “looks like something that could very well happen.”
Republicans on Capitol Hill posted messages of support for the strikes. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a close ally of the White House, wrote on X: “Game on. Pray for Israel.”
Iran’s defense minister had threatened Wednesday that the U.S. would also face consequences if talks regarding Tehran’s nuclear program broke down and bigger conflict broke out in the Middle East.
Paul McLeary contributed to this report.
