On Saturday, Israel announced it had launched a preemptive strike against Iran, escalating tensions in the Middle East and further dampening prospects for a diplomatic resolution to Iran’s longstanding nuclear issue with Western countries.

This attack comes on the heels of a 12-day aerial conflict between Israel and Iran this past June. Both the United States and Israel have previously issued warnings that they would take military action if Iran continued to advance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

“The State of Israel initiated a preemptive attack on Iran to neutralize threats against our nation,” stated Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

Reports from Iranian media indicated that explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday.

Earlier this year, the US and Iran resumed negotiations in February, aiming to resolve this long-standing dispute through diplomacy and thereby avoid a military conflict that could destabilize the entire region.

Nonetheless, Israel has maintained that any agreement the US reaches with Iran must include the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, beyond merely halting uranium enrichment. Israel has also pushed for negotiations to address restrictions on Iran’s missile program.

Iran said it was prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions but ruled out linking the issue to missiles.

Tehran also said it would defend itself against any attack.

It warned neighboring countries hosting US troops that it would retaliate against American bases if Washington struck Iran.

In June, the US joined an Israeli military campaign against Iranian nuclear installations, in the most direct American military action ever against the Islamic Republic.

Tehran retaliated by launching missiles toward the US Al Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest in the Middle East.

Western powers have warned that Iran’s ballistic missile project threatens regional stability and could deliver nuclear weapons if developed. Tehran denies seeking atomic bombs.