Israel has launched a pre-emptive military strike against Iran, a move confirmed on Saturday by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz. Katz said the operation was required to eliminate immediate threats to the State of Israel.
Soon after the confirmation, explosions were reported across Tehran. The strikes represent the most significant military action in the region since the 12-day air war in June.
The operation follows a period of rising tension, with repeated warnings issued by both Jerusalem and Washington regarding Tehran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Those warnings had formed part of an elevated diplomatic alertness in recent weeks, but the strike signals a collapse of recent diplomatic initiatives.
In February, the United States and Iran had resumed negotiations intended to reduce the chance of open conflict. Despite those talks, Israel maintained a firm position insisting on the full dismantling of Iran's nuclear infrastructure - a demand it continued to press even as negotiations between Washington and Tehran moved forward.
Tehran has previously pledged to defend itself against any act of aggression. It also warned neighboring countries that host U.S. forces that American military facilities could be targeted for retaliation if Washington supported strikes against Iran.
Markets and investors reacted to the sudden escalation with heightened caution. The return to direct military confrontation has focused attention on the security of the region's critical energy corridors and on the wider risks to supply chains. Analysts and market participants are now weighing the potential for broader regional warfare that could draw in multiple international actors.
The immediate concerns for global markets are centered on potential disruptions to energy supplies and ripple effects through logistics and trade routes that traverse the region. The uncertainty is expected to weigh on commodity markets and to increase volatility across asset classes until the situation clarifies.
At this stage, the sequence of events - a confirmed Israeli operation, reports of explosions in Tehran, and existing warnings from both capitals - has sharply raised geopolitical risk. Observers will be monitoring subsequent statements from the involved governments and any operational developments that could indicate either escalation or de-escalation.