Netanyahu vows to continue strikes on Iran 'as long as necessary'

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.