Israel said it launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran on Saturday, triggering fresh fears of a broader regional conflict and further undermining diplomatic efforts to resolve Tehran’s long-running nuclear dispute with Western powers.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation was aimed at neutralising threats posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
“The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” Katz said in a statement.
Explosions were heard in central Tehran, Iranian state media reported. There was no immediate confirmation from Iranian authorities on the scale or targets of the strikes.
The attack comes months after Israel and Iran fought a 12-day air war in June, during which the United States joined Israeli operations against Iranian nuclear installations. That marked the most direct U.S. military action against Iran in decades.
Tehran responded at the time by firing missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American military facility in the Middle East.
Saturday’s strike follows repeated warnings from Israel and the United States that military action would resume if Iran advanced its nuclear enrichment or ballistic missile capabilities.
Washington and Tehran had restarted negotiations in February in an effort to reach a diplomatic settlement. Israel had pressed for any agreement to include dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and curbing its missile programme — conditions Iran has rejected.
Tehran has said it is prepared to discuss limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief but insists its missile programme is non-negotiable. Iranian officials have also warned neighbouring states hosting U.S. forces that American bases would be targeted if Washington participates in further strikes.
In Israel, the military announced emergency domestic measures shortly after the attack. It ordered the closure of schools, workplaces and public gatherings nationwide, exempting only essential services. Air raid sirens were sounded across several regions “to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward Israel,” the military said.
Western governments have long argued that Iran’s expanding missile arsenal threatens regional stability and could one day be paired with nuclear warheads. Iran denies seeking atomic weapons, maintaining that its nuclear programme is for civilian purposes.
The renewed confrontation risks widening beyond the two countries. The Persian Gulf remains crowded with military assets, and tensions are already high after months of diplomatic deadlock and military posturing.
Whether the latest strike remains contained or triggers a broader exchange now hinges on Tehran’s response — and on whether external powers seek to restrain escalation or are drawn further into the conflict.
