Iran vows 'a harsh response' to Israeli attack
President Donald Trump was made aware of the strikes before Israel launched them, Fox News reports citing a phone interview between the president and anchor Bret Baier
Iran is planning to 'give a harsh response' to an Israeli attack launched early on Friday against its nuclear programme, an Iranian security source told Reuters.
"The response to the Israeli attack will be harsh and decisive," the official said, adding that details of Iran's retaliation "are being discussed at the highest levels" when asked whether the attack would be imminent.
In another sign that the opening strike was targeting top leaders of the Islamic Republic, Iran's state TV has just reported that the chief of staff of the nation's Armed Forces was also killed in Israeli strikes, without providing any further details, reports Bloomberg.
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Earlier, Fox News cited Trump as saying that "there are several people in leadership that will not be coming back."
Israel's opening strike on Iran was "very successful," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement.
He said Israel struck Iranian senior commanders, nuclear facilities and senior scientists advancing nuclear weapons. Netanyahu also called on the public to be prepared to spend an extended period in shelter.
National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Co says Israeli attacks didn't cause any damage to the country's oil refineries and storage tanks, state-run IRNA news agency reports.
Fuel distribution across Iran ongoing without interruption.
Still on nuclear talks, Oman said it holds Israel responsible for this escalation and its repercussions and says such a "reckless" approach threatens to "preclude diplomatic solutions and undermine the security and stability of the region," state-run Oman News Agency reports.
This is the first Gulf state to comment on the attack. Oman has been mediating between the US and Iran and is the host of nuclear talks. The sixth round of these negotiations between the US and Iran were scheduled to be held on 15 June.
President Donald Trump was made aware of the strikes before Israel launched them, Fox News reports citing a phone interview between the president and anchor Bret Baier.
"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 said, according to Baier.
