Early Friday morning, local time, Israel launched dozens of strikes against Iran and declared a state of emergency, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz. "Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," Katz said in a statement. Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv following the announcement. The U.S. did not provide any assistance or have any involvement in the Israeli strike, a U.S. official told ABC News. Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin says that "Iran launched approximately 100 UAVs towards Israeli territory, which we are working to intercept."Israel says it is planning to use its air defenses to intercept the drones as air raid sirens can be heard blaring across the country which is under a state of emergency that was imposed overnight.The state of emergency means nobody one is allowed to be out on the streets and almost all businesses, including schools, offices and supermarkets, have also been shut as the airspace over Israel is closed. President Trump spoke to Fox News' Bret Baier via phone after the Israeli strikes on Tehran and said that his administration was aware of the strikes but was not involved militarily, and that he hopes Iran will return to negotiate a deal."Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back," Trump told Baier.-ABC News' Alex Ederson In a statement early Friday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement calling the strikes "successful."Translated from Hebrew, Netanyahu said, "We are after a very successful opening strike. With God's help, we are going to have many more achievements." Top House Republican leaders are voicing support for Israel's strikes on Iran.Speaker Mike Johnsonpostedan Israeli flag on X and said, "Israel IS right—and has a right—to defend itself!Majority Leader Steve Scalise said he stands with Israel."Iran has refused to dismantle its nuclear program, which puts America at risk and poses an existential threat to Israel. Tonight Israel is taking action to defend itself, and we stand with Israel. Our prayers are with them and all American personnel in the region," Scalise said in apost on X.Echoing Trump administration officials, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogerssaidthe U.S. was not involved in the strikes."The U.S. was not involved in the strikes, but our forces stand ready to defend themselves and our ally Israel," Rogers said in a statement.-ABC News' Lauren Peller The head of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Gen. Hossein Salami was killed in Israeli strikes on Iran, Iranian state TV reports. Also killed was Dr. Fereydoun Abbasi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization, according to Iranian state TV. Israel has not confirmed the deaths. A senior security official said, "There is a growing likelihood that the Iranian General Staff, including the Iranian Chief of Staff, and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the opening blow." During a televised address, Israel Defense Forces Chief Eyal Zamir said the military was calling up "tens of thousands of soldiers" and was "prepared across all borders." The official went on to say, "I warn that anyone who will try to challenge us, will pay a heavy price." Following Israel's series of strikes on Iran, the U.S. Embassy in Israel has directed all American government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice."The U.S. Embassy reminds U.S. citizens of the continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness – including knowing the location of the nearest shelter in the event of a red alert as security incidents, including mortar, rocket, and missile fire, and unmanned aircraft system (UAS) intrusions, often take place without any warning," the embassy said in a statement, adding, "The security environment is complex and can change quickly." A senior Israeli security official told ABC News that the Iranian General Staff and senior nuclear scientists were likely killed in the first of the series of Israeli strikes on Iran's nuclear targets."There is a growing likelihood that the Iranian General Staff, including the Iranian Chief of Staff, and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the opening blow," the official said.-ABC News' Dana Hughes The president's schedule released by the White House late Thursday showed that he would meet with the National Security Council in the Situation Room at 11 a.m.As of now, the meeting is not open to cameras or reporters. The State Department has launched a Middle East task force focused on potentially evacuating American citizens from the region, two department officials told ABC News."The Department continuously plans for a wide range of situations for regions with heightened tensions," one official said.-ABC News' Shannon Kingston Click here to read the rest of the blog.
