Israel attacks Iran updates | In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Israel carried out “preemptive” airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear plant and military facilities early Friday, following warnings from former US President Donald Trump of an impending “massive conflict.” The strikes triggered explosions in Tehran, according to Iranian state TV, and prompted Israel to declare a state of emergency.
Iran’s air defence systems were placed at full operational readiness, the country’s media reported, while fears of a swift Iranian counterstrike mounted across the region.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said, “Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.”
Trump Warns Attack Could “Blow” or “Help” Nuclear Deal as Oil Prices Surge
The airstrikes come just hours after Donald Trump indicated that conflict between Israel and Iran was increasingly likely. Speaking at the White House on Thursday, Trump remarked, “I don’t want to say imminent, but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen.”
While he hinted at progress on a possible deal over Iran’s nuclear program, Trump cautioned that the Israeli strikes might jeopardize it. “I don’t want them going in, because I think it would blow it. Might help it actually, but it also could blow it,” he said, referring to his earlier conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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Despite the timing, a US official confirmed there was no American involvement in the Israeli operation. Nevertheless, Washington began drawing down embassy staff in Iraq, an area long vulnerable to proxy attacks linked to Iranian interests.
The airstrikes spurred an immediate market reaction, with oil prices jumping as much as 6 percent, reflecting concerns over global energy supply disruptions.
Iran Pushes Back on IAEA Resolution, Expands Uranium Enrichment
Just days before the strike, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution accusing Iran of non-compliance with its nuclear obligations. In response, Iran’s nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami condemned the move as “extremist” and blamed Israeli influence over the international watchdog.
Iran announced the opening of a new uranium enrichment centre in a secure location and plans to upgrade centrifuges at its Fordo facility. Spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi confirmed, “Iran would replace all of these first-generation machines with sixth-generation advanced machines.”
Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, well above the 3.67 percent cap under the 2015 nuclear deal and nearing the 90 percent threshold needed to develop a nuclear warhead—a charge Tehran continues to deny.
As diplomatic channels shrink and military actions escalate, the world watches closely to see if this confrontation spirals into a wider regional war.
