In a significant development, Israel launched strikes on Iran late Thursday evening, escalating tensions in the region. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the United States was not involved in these attacks, stating, “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran.” He emphasized that the U.S. is focused on protecting its forces stationed in the area.
Rubio noted that Israel communicated to the U.S. that the strikes were necessary for self-defense. He added that Iran should refrain from targeting American interests or personnel. The situation remains tense, with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declaring a “special situation” across Israel for the next 48 hours due to a high likelihood of a retaliatory attack from Iran.
Earlier in the day, President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of an Israeli strike, expressing a preference for diplomatic solutions to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The strikes reportedly targeted locations in Iran, including its capital, Tehran. Videos circulating on social media showed what appeared to be bombed sites, indicating the scale of the operation.
As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on the potential for retaliation from Iran and the broader implications for U.S. forces in the region. The U.S. government continues to maintain close contact with its regional partners to navigate the escalating crisis.