Israel has suddenly launched a preemptive strike against Iran, and the entire nation has entered a state of emergency! A huge explosion was reported in Tehran, while oil prices for West Texas Intermediate and Brent surged by 4%, and Gold broke through $3,410. The U.S. has hurried to distance itself, and a major conflict in the Middle East seems imminent.
On Friday morning Beijing time, market news reported that Israel launched a preemptive strike against Iran. According to the Israeli Times reporter, Israeli Defense Minister Katz announced a nationwide state of emergency.
AXIOS reported that alarms were sounded across Israel. Al Jazeera stated there were huge explosions heard in the Tehran area of Iran.
According to two informed sources, the Israeli Air Force carried out an attack on Iran on Thursday. It remains unclear what Israel's target was, but explosions have been reported in Tehran.
Katz stated that following Israel's attack on Iran, missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and its civilians are expected in the near future.
A spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces stated that starting on Friday morning local time, only 'essential' activities would be allowed within Israel. This includes a ban on 'educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential businesses.'
U.S. officials stated that Israel has launched an attack on Iran, and the United States did not intervene or assist.
This indicates that Israel directly attacked its most formidable and well-armed adversary without explicit support from the United States. President Trump publicly opposed Israel's attack on Iran's nuclear sites on Thursday, stating that he still believes a nuclear agreement is possible.
However, it remains unclear whether Israel has ordered strikes against Iran's nuclear program, and it is also uncertain whether the United States opposes this specific action. One source stated that the U.S. privately notified several allies on Thursday that Israel was about to launch an attack and made it clear that the U.S. was not involved.
According to Axios, the Trump administration has informed Israel that it will not participate in any strikes against the nuclear program. However, the U.S. has previously assisted Israel in repelling Iranian attacks, and if this strike triggers a cycle of retaliation, the U.S. is likely to do so again.
Before the operation was made public, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Huckabee stated on Social Media that he "would be here at the embassy in Jerusalem all night" and added that he was "praying for peace in Jerusalem."
It is currently unclear the extent and targets of Israel's attack. Iran has vowed to strike U.S. targets in the region if its nuclear program is attacked.
It is reported that Israel has closed its airspace until further notice.
Due to the sharp escalation of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, both American and Brent crude oil prices surged quickly, with increases expanding to nearly 6%. Spot Gold rose above $3,430 per ounce, reaching a new high since May 8.
In light of the escalating tensions in the Middle East, oil prices are expected to rise significantly this week. JPMorgan has warned that in the worst-case scenario, oil prices could reach 130 dollars per barrel.
The bank stated that the focus of concern is that a broader conflict in the Middle East could close the Strait of Hormuz or provoke retaliatory reactions from major oil-producing countries in the region.
Analysts at JPMorgan said, "In light of these serious results, we estimate that oil prices could soar to a range of 120-130 dollars per barrel."
The United States and Iran are scheduled to hold the sixth round of nuclear negotiations in Oman on Sunday.
The Israeli military confirmed an airstrike on Iran's nuclear program.
According to CCTV news reports, on June 13 local time, the Air Force is launching airstrikes against dozens of targets related to nuclear programs and other military facilities in Iran, naming this operation 'Lion's Strength.' The Israeli military claims that Iran has enough enriched uranium to produce multiple bombs within days, thus action must be taken to address this 'imminent threat.'
Israeli military officials stated that the first phase of the operation has been completed, including strikes on dozens of military targets in Iran, which also include nuclear targets in different regions of Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated: 'This operation will continue until completion, no matter how long it takes. This operation will weaken Iran's nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile factories, and its military capabilities. We have targeted the core of Iran's nuclear enrichment program and nuclear weapons program. Strikes were carried out against Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz.'
U.S. Secretary of State Rubio stated: 'Trump and the government have taken all necessary measures to protect our troops and maintain close contact with regional partners. Israel has taken unilateral action against Iran, we are not involved in the strikes against Iran, and the current top priority is to protect U.S. forces in the region. Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.'
Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshi Matsuno stated: 'Japan will take all necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent further deterioration of the situation between Israel and Iran.'
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