Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the preemptive strikes against Iran starting from midnight Friday will continue "as long as necessary", despite outside concerns of Israel violating international law.

Netanyahu said they are striking at Iran's nuclear programs, ballistic missiles and military capabilities and leading nuclear scientists.

"This operation will continue as long as necessary until we complete the mission," Netanyahu said in a statement put on YouTube, X, and other outlets.

The Iranian side is yet to issue an official statement. Iran's Press TV said Natanz nuclear facility in central Iran has been targeted, showing footage of fire and smoke billowing from a site.

Different parts in the western neighborhood in Mahallati, located in the northeastern part of Tehran were hit, which is known as a residential area and is known for having buildings that relate to residents of military officials. Some of the footage also coming out indicates that the buildings look to be residential.

Netanyahu said, "I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapon program" in his statement.

But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally.

"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement on Friday.

"Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel," he added.

The United States has engaged in four rounds of nuclear talks with Iran. Iran has repeatedly emphasized its nuclear program is not aimed at weaponry, and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei long time ago issued a religious decree against development of nuclear weaponry.

While US officials suggested seeking to end Iran's nuclear program, Iran has emphasized its right to nuclear power generation as a member of the non-proliferation treaty.

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel has conducted a "preemptive strike" on Iran, declaring a special state of emergency across the country.

Israel has closed airspace for arrivals and departures, the Transportation Ministry said.

The attacks came soon after the United Nations General Assembly, at an Emergency Special Session, adopted a resolution on Thursday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in Palestine and immediate access to humanitarian assistance at scale.

The resolution demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, to be respected by all parties."

It strongly condemned any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access. It stressed the obligation not to deprive civilians in the Gaza Strip of objects indispensable to their survival, including by willfully impeding relief supplies and access.

Two Iranian nuclear scientists killed in Israeli strike - Iran state TV

TEHRAN -- Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami was killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Iranian capital Tehran Friday morning, the official news agency IRNA reported.

Revolutionary Guards headquarters in Tehran has been hit by Israel -- Iran state TV

Israel's air strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities early Friday before a critical round of talks between the United States and Iran may lead to serious consequences and stroke extended conflicts across the region.

The Israel Defense Forces said its operation against Iran's nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities will last several days, The Times of Israel reported.

"We are in the window of strategic opportunities. We have reached the point of no return, and there is no choice but to act now," IDF officials were quoted by the paper.

Explosions took place in early hours in the Iranian capital Tehran, Iranian state TV reported. Damage to other parts of Iran were yet to be confirmed.

"Loud explosions are being heard in different locations of the capital Tehran," state TV said without providing details. Iran's air defense systems were on full alert.

Iran suspended all flights at its main Iman Khomeini airport, state TV said. Earlier, Iranian military officials promised strong countermeasures in case of nuclear facilities being hit.

On Thursday, the chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Major General Hossein Salami, said during a ceremony in Tehran: "The enemy sometimes threatens us with military action. We have always said—and repeat now—that we are fully prepared for any scenario, under any circumstances."

The US and Iran are scheduled to resume nuclear talks on Sunday, the fifth round, which may prove critical with suggestions of breakthrough.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear sites "could very well happen" but advised against it, saying the possibility of a deal was "fairly close" if Tehran compromises on its atomic ambitions in ongoing talks with the US.

Yet the US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in an interview on Thursday that Israel was unlikely to attack Iran without a green light from Washington, which further complicated the situation.

Israel striking nuclear and military targets, military official says.

TEHRAN/JERUSALEM - Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has conducted a "preemptive strike" on Iran, declaring a special state of emergency across the country.

Iran's IRIB state TV reported that major explosion sounds were heard in areas of the capital Tehran early Friday, and the source has not been determined yet.

Explosions heard in Iran's capital: media reports