Iran's armed forces said Friday there were "no limits" on their response to Israel after its deadly strikes on multiple cities.
"Now that the terrorist regime occupying Al-Quds (Jerusalem) has crossed all red lines... (there are) no limits in responding to this crime," the armed forces general staff said in a statement.
Israel's defense ministry said Friday that Israeli air strikes across Iran had "neutralised" most of the senior leadership of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' Air Force.
"The defense minister was informed that most of the Revolutionary Guard Air Force leadership was neutralised while convening at their underground headquarters," the ministry said in a statement.
Flights suspended
Air traffic was halted at Tehran's main gateway, Imam Khomeini International Airport, while Iraq and Jordan also closed their airspace and suspended flights.
Israel declared a state of emergency and closed its airspace, with defense Minister Israel Katz saying Israel was braced for Iran's expected retaliation.
"Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," Katz said.
An Israeli military official said the army believed Iran had the ability to strike Israel "any minute".
Oil prices surged 12 percent while stocks sank on the Israeli strikes, which came after Trump's warning of a "massive conflict" in the region.
Trump had also said the United States was drawing down staff in the Middle East, after Iran threatened to target U.S. military bases in the region if conflict breaks out.
Trump said he believed a "pretty good" deal on Iran's nuclear programme was "fairly close", but said that an Israeli attack on its arch foe could wreck the chances of an agreement.
The U.S. leader did not disclose the details of a conversation on Monday with Netanyahu, but said: "I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it."
Trump quickly added: "Might help it actually, but it also could blow it."
'Within reach'
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Iran not respond to Israeli strikes by hitting U.S. bases, saying Washington was not involved.
"Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel," Rubio said in a statement.
Prior to Friday's attack, Iran had threatened to hit U.S. bases in the Middle East if conflict were to erupt.
With the violence raising questions on whether a sixth round of talks planned between the U.S. and Iran will still take place on Sunday in Oman, Trump said however that Washington is still "hoping to get back to the negotiating table".
Confirming Natanz among targets, the U.N.'s nuclear watchdog said it was "closely monitoring" the situation.
"The agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country," International Atomic Energy Agency head Rafael Grossi said.
'Extremist'
Israel, which counts on U.S. military and diplomatic support, sees Iran as an existential threat.
Netanyahu has vowed less restraint since the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack on Israel by Tehran-backed Hamas, which triggered the massive Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Since the Hamas attack, Iran and Israel have traded direct attacks for the first time.
Aside from Hamas, Israel is also battling Iranian proxies Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Huthis in Yemen.
The United States and other Western countries, along with Israel, have repeatedly accused Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, which it has repeatedly denied.
Israel again called for global action after the IAEA accused Iran on Wednesday of non-compliance with its obligations.
Iran's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, slammed the resolution as "extremist".
In response, Iran said it would launch a new enrichment centre in a secure location.
"The world now better understands Iran's insistence on the right to enrichment, nuclear technology, and missile power," the Iranian government said following the strikes.
Iran currently enriches uranium to 60 percent, far above the 3.67-percent limit set in the 2015 deal and close, though still short, of the 90 percent needed for a nuclear warhead.
Yorumlar
Dikkat!
Suç teşkil edecek, yasadışı, tehditkar, rahatsız edici, hakaret ve küfür içeren, aşağılayıcı, küçük düşürücü, kaba, müstehcen, ahlaka aykırı, kişilik haklarına zarar verici ya da benzeri niteliklerde içeriklerden doğan her türlü mali, hukuki, cezai, idari sorumluluk içeriği gönderen Üye/Üyeler’e aittir.