Israel launches "preemptive strike" on Iran

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Fear of all-out war spreads after Israel attacks Iran

After days of escalating tensions, Israel has launched an attack on Iran.

Israeli government officials called the move a "preemptive strike" in an emergency message to citizens. While declaring a state of emergency throughout the entire country, Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that retaliatory strikes were expected.

"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," a message from Katz read.

The Associated Press shared that explosions were reported in Tehran. The outlet added that the explosions had been acknowledged by state television in Iran. An unnamed Israeli official who spoke to the AP said that the wave of attacks targeted nuclear sites and military outposts.

It is not the first missile exchange between the two countries since Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. Prompted by incursions into Lebanon, Iran launched air attacks on Israel late last year. Israel, in turn, attacked key parts of Iran's air defense system.

In recent days, President Donald Trump had hoped that cooler heads would prevail. The U.S. and Iran are in the middle of talks around a potential nuclear deal, and Trump administration insiders told Axios that the president has no desire to follow Israel into a wider war in the region. Trump had reportedly urged Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu not to carry out such a strike.

Well, what now? Is this the latest round of tit-for-tat between the two nations? Will this strike snowball into a wider war in the region? Sound off in the comments.

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