Reports confirm that the Israeli Air Force carried out multiple airstrikes inside Iran on Thursday, as cited by two informed sources. Axios revealed the development shortly after the strikes occurred, though the precise targets remain unverified. However, Iranian official television reported explosions close to Tehran, which raised concerns about the nature of the attack.
This strong move is a major escalation, as Israel is acting independently against a powerful adversary. Notably, former US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his belief that a nuclear agreement with Iran is feasible and openly condemned the operation. It’s unclear whether Trump was denouncing the military operation or Iran’s nuclear facilities when Israel launched its strikes.
The event has sparked worries that the dispute could escalate and lead to a devastating war between the two countries.
Israel Implements Emergency Protocols Amid Rising Tensions
Following the airstrikes, Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced a nationwide state of emergency as air raid sirens blared across the country late Thursday. Katz warned that Iran would probably launch missile and drone attacks against civilian targets in retaliation.
Strict precautions were implemented beginning Friday, interfering with day-to-day activities. Under IDF instructions, only necessary services were allowed to continue operating, and public events, educational institutions, and non-essential enterprises were all suspended.
U.S. Denies Involvement in Israeli Strike
Sources indicate that the U.S. privately alerted certain allies about Israel’s planned attack while emphasizing that Washington played no role in the operation. Axios reported that the Trump administration had previously made it clear to Israel that the U.S. would not participate in any offensive against Iran’s nuclear sites.
Despite this, American forces have historically aided Israel in countering Iranian reprisals and may intervene again if hostilities intensify.
Before the strike became public, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee posted on social media, stating he was remaining at the embassy in Jerusalem overnight and urging followers to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”
Further details on Israel’s operation remain scarce. Intelligence suggests Israel had been preparing for a possible strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities for weeks, delaying action pending diplomatic developments. A new round of U.S.-Iran talks was set for Sunday, though their status is now uncertain.
U.S. Braces for Potential Regional Backlash
Iran has repeatedly warned that any attack on its nuclear program would provoke strikes on American interests. In anticipation of possible retaliation, the U.S. has begun evacuating diplomatic and military personnel from Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait while reinforcing air defenses around Gulf bases.
Even if Iran’s nuclear sites were not directly hit, any Israeli military action risks triggering a response that could further entangle the U.S. in the conflict.
Will Iran’s Retaliation Escalate Into a Larger Conflict?
Residents of Tehran were jolted awake early Friday by the roar of explosions, the impact of falling bombs, and the tremors shaking their homes.
For many, the immediate assumption was clear—Israel was behind the assault.
Now, as people survey the damage, the atmosphere is thick with disbelief. Tehran, a city untouched by direct warfare since the Iran-Iraq conflict ended in the 1980s, has been abruptly thrust into chaos.
Despite earlier attacks between Israel and Iran, these strikes mark a significant escalation, striking closer to civilian areas than ever before. For millions of Iranians, this is an unusual and very uncomfortable moment.
It is expected that Iran will react brutally. A similar response could be imminent after it fired hundreds of missiles at Israel last October, most of which were intercepted.
Additionally, despite their purported weakness, Iranian-backed groups in the area might launch counterattacks.
The biggest worry at the moment is whether this conflict will turn into a larger, more catastrophic conflict.