Topline
Israel launched a series of major military strikes against Iran and its nuclear program on Thursday, killing several top military officials and nuclear scientists in the country, in a move that U.S. officials said was a “unilateral” action by Israel as they denied any involvement by U.S. forces.
A view of a damaged building in the Iranian capital, Tehran, following an attack by Israel.
Iranian state media said the commander in chief of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Gen. Hossein Salami, was killed in the Israeli strikes, along with Gen. Gholamali Rashid, the deputy chief of staff of the Iranian military.
State media reports added that two prominent nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi, the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were also killed in the strikes.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement the U.S. is not involved in the strikes and that Israel believed the strikes were “necessary for its self-defense.”
Rubio urged Iran to not target U.S. interests or personnel.
Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We’re launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day’s headlines. Text “Alerts” to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here.
The attack comes a day after several U.S. embassies in the Middle East were evacuated over “heightened security risks” in the region. President Donald Trump, who has opposed immediate military action against Iran in hopes a nuclear deal could be reached, said Thursday afternoon, prior to the strike, “it looks like something could very well happen” and that the U.S. was "fairly close” on a nuclear agreement. Trump also said an attack by Israel “could blow” a potential agreement, noting there is a “chance of massive conflict."
Will Israel Strike Iran? Trump Evacuates 4 Middle East Embassies As Fears Grow (Forbes)
An Israeli military official says his country targeted Iranian nuclear sites (Forbes)