What we know about Israel’s strikes on Iran
Israel has launched unprecedented attack on Iran, targeting the heart of nation’s nuclear program and senior military leaders – plunging the Middle East into fresh uncertainty.
Here’s what we know:
- The strikes: The attack hit dozens of locations across Iran, targeting its nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities, according to an Israeli military official and an Israeli military source. “This is not a one-day attack,” the military source told CNN.
- Scientists targeted: An Israeli security source briefed reporters that Iran’s top military leaders, as well as senior nuclear scientists, were targeted in the opening strikes and that “chances are increasing” that they were eliminated.
- Major commander killed: General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed in the attacks, multiple Iranian state media outlets have reported.
- Damage on the ground: Photos and videos from Iranian state media show what appear to be apartment buildings on fire, and large plumes of smoke billowing from Iran’s Natanz Nuclear Facility. Large crowds are seen gathered in the street outside buildings as firefighters race to put out blazes.
- Bracing for retaliation: Israel has declared a state of emergency as it braces for Iran’s potential retaliation, closing schools, banning social gatherings, and advising against non-essential work. Israeli hospitals have been ordered to halt outpatient and non-urgent activities and move to protected areas, and the Israeli military is calling up “tens of thousands” of soldiers to prepare for what comes next.
- What the US said: President Donald Trump and senior White House officials were expecting the Israeli strikes, two sources familiar with the matter told CNN. There was no US involvement or US assistance in the strikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday.
- Nuclear talks: The US and Iran were in nuclear negotiations, with their sixth round of talks scheduled for Sunday in Oman. It’s not clear if they will still take place.
