Israel launches strikes against Iran as nuclear program talks falter
Israel launched a military operation against Iran targeting Tehran's nuclear program on the evening of June 12, according to the Israeli government.
Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, described the move as a "preemptive strike" and warned that Israel anticipates "a missile and drone attack" in response. The Israeli Defense Force said the strikes were conducted by "dozens" of aircraft.
According to Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the IDF struck Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and hit additional targets "at the heart" of the Islamic Republic's programs for nuclear weaponization and enrichment, as well as its ballistic missile program. Netanyahu added that "Iran's leading nuclear scientists" were also targets, and that the IDF's attacks will continue for "as many days as it takes."
Iran's state-run news agency reported "sounds of explosions . . . heard in and near" the country's capital of Tehran.
State media also confirmed that the strikes targeted the Revolutionary Guards Corps complex there, killing IRGC chief Hossein Salami, according to Reuters. Iranian state television reported that the head of Iran's armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri, was also killed, Reuters said.
Senior regime official Ali Shamkhani, a Republican Guard Navy rear admiral and former defense minister who has played a prominent role in nuclear negotiations, was critically injured, Reuters reported, citing Iran's state-run Nour News.
In a statement, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei decried Israel's "wicked and bloody hand," declaring that Iran's foe "has prepared a bitter fate for itself," according to Reuters.
U.S. troops 'not involved'
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the attack in a statement, stressing that American forces "are not involved in strikes against Iran."
"Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners," Rubio added, warning that "Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel."
Netanyahu, in his statement, thanked President Donald Trump for "his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapons program."
"Long live Israel, and long live America," said Netanyahu. "Our action will make the world a much safer place."
But Sen. Jack Reed (D-Rhode Island), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticized the move as "a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence." Reed in his statement pushed Trump to press for "diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control."
The U.S. Embassy in Israel has directed all U.S. government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice.
Decade of diplomacy not enough to prevent strikes
The operation could land a blow to the Trump's administration's efforts to strike a deal with Iran to limit its nuclear program.
Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was scheduled to meet with Israeli officials before participating in a sixth round of nuclear talks with the Iranians in Oman over this weekend.
Israel has been warning for more than a decade it would attack Iran's nuclear program and energy facilities if they reached a stage where they could be weaponized. The two countries are longtime foes.
Iran claims its nuclear program is for civilian energy purposes only, a claim that is regarded skeptically in the international community.
Ahead of the operation, the U.S. appeared to anticipate that Iran could retaliate on certain American military sites in neighboring Iraq. The State Department issued a travel advisory on June 11 that ordered non-emergency government officials to exit Iraq due to "heightened regional tensions."
"There's a chance of massive conflict. We have a lot of American people in this area, and I said, 'We got to tell them to get out,' because something could happen. Soon," Trump said on June 12 at a White House event. "And I don't want to be the one that didn't give any warning, and missiles are flying into their buildings. It's possible. So I had to do it."
Trump told reporters at the event that he did not want Israel to strike Iran while a nuclear deal was still on the table.
"As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them going in, because I think that would blow it. Might help it, actually. But it also could blow it," he said. "Whether or not we get there, I can't tell you, but it will happen soon."
Trump was hosting lawmakers at the White House for a picnic as word of the strike spread. The White House released the statement from Rubio, who is serving in dual role as national security adviser and secretary of state, and did not respond to additional questions.
The president's publicly schedule on June 13 shows him holding a National Security Council meeting in the White House Situation Room and nothing else.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, said the United States' immediate priority in the region should be to defend American troops and civilians serving overseas. "Iran should heavily consider the consequences before considering any action against Americans in the region," Thune warned.
Iran nuclear enrichment program a focus of negotiations
Former President Barack Obama struck a deal with Iran and world powers in 2015 that limited the scope of Iran's uranium enrichment program.
Netanyahu objected to that accord, claiming Iran couldn't be trusted to abide by its terms, though the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, said it was working. Trump exited the agreement during his first term.
Netanyahu has for years argued against a nuclear pact with Iran. Israel and Iran have been sworn enemies since Tehran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Israel and Iran targeted each other with missiles and drones in October 2024 in connection with the killings of the leaders of Hezbollah and Hamas − Iranian-backed armed groups.
International watchdogs say Iran has continued to enrich uranium to near-weapons level.
In a late May report, the IAEA estimated Iran had enriched uranium up to 60% purity. That is very close to the 90% enrichment level required to build a nuclear weapon, according to the IAEA and other nuclear watchdogs. The IAEA declared June 12 Iran was not complying with its nuclear nonproliferation obligations and passed a resolution against the country for the first time in 20 years.
Contributing: Joseph Garrison and Tom Vanden Brook, Paste BN
Davis Winkie's role covering nuclear threats and national security at Paste BN is supported by a partnership with Outrider Foundation and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input.