Israel has launched a large-scale military operation targeting dozens of strategic sites across Iran, including facilities linked to its nuclear program, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The campaign, dubbed “Rising Lion,” follows intelligence assessments that Iran has made significant progress toward acquiring a nuclear weapon, Israeli officials said.
According to the IDF and an Israeli official who spoke to ABC News, Iran is believed to have stockpiled enough enriched uranium for multiple nuclear bombs. Defense Minister Israel Katz characterized the strikes as a necessary preemptive action and declared a national state of emergency.
“After the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, we anticipate an imminent missile and drone response targeting our territory and civilian population,” Katz warned in an official statement.
Soon after the announcement, air raid sirens were activated in Tel Aviv, signaling heightened alert across the country.
A U.S. official confirmed that the United States was neither involved in nor provided support for the operation. In a statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that Washington was not part of the offensive.
“Tonight, Israel acted unilaterally against Iran,” Rubio said. “Our priority is the protection of American personnel and interests in the region. Iran must not mistake this for an opportunity to target the United States.”
Rubio added that Israel informed the U.S. in advance, citing self-defense as justification for the strike.
The Israeli action coincides with U.S. plans to resume nuclear negotiations with Iranian officials this weekend. Speaking just hours before the military campaign began, President Donald Trump reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to diplomacy.
“We remain committed to a diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue,” Trump said Thursday. “Iran could become a great country, but only if it abandons its pursuit of nuclear weapons.”
In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking from the western province of Ilam, vowed to continue uranium enrichment and pledged to rebuild any facilities destroyed in potential attacks.
“We will not abandon our right to enrichment,” Pezeshkian declared. “Even if they bomb our facilities, we will rebuild them. Iran’s future will be shaped by our youth, not by foreign pressure.”
The strikes mark a dangerous new chapter in already volatile regional tensions, with both sides preparing for possible escalation in the days ahead.
