Israel strikes Iran’s capital Tehran, says targetted nuclear, military sites
Vartha Bharati | 13-06-2025 | 07:12:00 IST
Tehran: Explosions rocked Tehran early Friday morning as Israel launched airstrikes targeting suspected Iranian nuclear and military facilities. The unprecedented escalation comes just a day after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) censured Iran for non-cooperation with nuclear inspectors, the first such move in two decades.
In response, Iran announced the creation of a third uranium enrichment facility and a plan to replace older centrifuges with more advanced models. Iranian officials reiterated that the country has no intent to develop nuclear weapons but warned that it retains the capability if necessary.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation via YouTube, stating that the strikes would continue “for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.” Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed Israel’s involvement, warning that retaliatory drone and missile attacks from Iran were expected. A special emergency order was declared for Israeli civilians.
The United States distanced itself from the offensive. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington had been notified but did not participate in the strikes. “Our top priority is protecting American personnel in the region,” Rubio stated, adding that the U.S. had already withdrawn some diplomats from Iraq and offered voluntary evacuations for families of service members.
Smoke was seen rising from Tehran’s western Chitgar neighborhood. While no known nuclear facilities are located there, the broader scope of the operation remains unclear. Both Iranian and Israeli airspaces were temporarily closed.
Meanwhile, global markets reacted immediately, Brent crude prices spiked nearly 5% following news of the attack.
In a separate statement, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed he had urged Netanyahu to delay military action, warning that a diplomatic resolution might still be possible. However, at the time of the strike, Trump was seen mingling with lawmakers on the White House lawn and reportedly continued interactions despite the unfolding crisis.
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