The Israeli military on Friday morning confirmed that it carried out strikes against Iran, using dozens of jets, saying that it targeted military and nuclear sites. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is not involved in strikes against Iran.
Residential areas in north-east and west Tehran are reported to have been targeted by Israeli attacks.
“We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,” Rubio said in a statement.
The Israeli prime minister said the attacks are aimed at Iran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missiles and military capabilities. “This operation will continue as long as necessary, until we complete the mission,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
In a statement issued by an Israeli military spokesperson, a ban has been ordered “on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, with the exception of essential businesses” across the country starting at 0000 GMT (0300 local time).
On Thursday, US President Donald Trump said that an Israeli strike on Iran “may very well happen”, as he confirmed that the US was evacuating some US officials and their families from the region.
U.S. and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran’s escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday, according to officials from both countries and their Omani mediators.
