Israel Launches Attack On Iran, Declares State of Emergency Across Country

Israel carried out a rare daylight strike on Tehran Saturday, sending plumes of smoke over Iran's capital, according to the Associated Press.

The target of the attack was not immediately clear, though Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the operation aimed "to remove threats," without elaborating further. Witnesses in Tehran reported hearing a loud blast, and Iranian state television acknowledged the explosion but offered no explanation.

The strike coincided with sirens sounding across Israel, where the military issued a "proactive alert" warning citizens of possible missile retaliation. The United States, which has recently deployed a large fleet of fighter jets and warships to the region, declined immediate comment.

Washington has been pressing Iran to agree to limits on its nuclear program, with President Donald Trump warning earlier this month that "really bad things" could happen if Tehran refused.

The attack followed a third round of U.S.-Iran talks in Switzerland on Thursday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Iran's unwillingness to discuss its ballistic missile program, calling it a "big, big problem." While Iran has signaled openness to compromise on nuclear issues, it insists its missile program is not up for negotiation. Frustration in Washington has grown, with officials saying Tehran has failed to address core demands.

Iran has previously warned the United Nations it would respond "decisively" to military aggression. The latest escalation has rattled energy markets, pushing oil prices to six-month highs amid fears of supply disruptions. Iran, a founding member of OPEC, controls the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for nearly 20% of global oil shipments.

Tensions have flared repeatedly. Last June, U.S. strikes damaged Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to retaliate against an American base in Qatar. That exchange caused limited damage.