Israel launched unprecedented strikes in response to what it perceives as an urgent threat posed by Tehran’s advancing nuclear program

The last time Israel hit Iranian targets, in October 2024, the White House expressed understanding and conveyed that the attack had been coordinated. This time, the statement issued by the U.S. secretary of state in the immediate aftermath of the attacks smacked of distancing.

The Israeli attack hit several sites, including Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. Later in the morning, Israel said it had also destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran.