At least 24 people have been killed in Israel as Iran launched retaliatory airstrikes targeting civilian areas. A U.S. Embassy branch in Tel Aviv suffered minor damage.

President Donald Trump vetoed a plan presented to the U.S. in recent days to kill Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter

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.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio was the first to respond to the attack publicly with a statement Thursday evening — but others have yet to comment.

Iran has launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Israel, killing at least three people and wounding dozens, after a series of Israeli attacks on the heart of Tehran’s nuclear programme and armed forces.

A Democratic senator introduced legislation on Monday to prevent U.S. President Donald Trump from using military force against Iran without Congress's authorization, as an escalating battle between Israel and Iran raised fears of a broader conflict.