U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Thursday night that Israel launched airstrikes on Iran without American involvement, describing the military action as a “unilateral operation” and issuing a firm warning to Tehran not to retaliate against U.S. personnel or assets in the region.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. The United States was not involved in the strikes, and our top priority remains the protection of American forces,” Rubio said in a statement.

He added, “Let me be clear: Iran must not target U.S. interests or personnel under any circumstances.” Rubio noted that Israel had informed Washington in advance, citing self-defense as the reason behind the attack.

The strikes, which occurred late Thursday evening U.S. time (early Friday in the Middle East), reportedly caused explosions in parts of Tehran, according to Iranian state media. The offensive has further intensified tensions across the region, already inflamed by Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza since October 2023.

Rubio’s remarks come at a time of strained U.S.-Iran relations. Although President Donald Trump had previously pursued a revised nuclear deal aimed at limiting Iran’s uranium enrichment, those diplomatic efforts appear to have reached an impasse.

In light of the strikes, Rubio assured that the U.S. has taken all necessary measures to safeguard its military personnel and is maintaining constant communication with regional allies.

As the fallout from the Israeli operation continues, Washington is working to contain the crisis and avoid a broader conflict while reinforcing its commitment to protecting American interests amid rising volatility in the Middle East.