• Israel has launched preemptive strikes against Iran, targeting military and nuclear sites.
• Explosions were reported across Tehran, prompting a state of emergency in Israel.
• Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of expected retaliatory attacks from Iran.
• The strikes disrupted ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations.
• Oil prices surged on the news of the conflict escalating.

Explosions were reported early on Friday in Tehran, Iran's capital, as Israel launched a series of preemptive strikes against Iranian military and nuclear facilities, prompting a significant escalation in regional tensions. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the strikes were intended to prevent a missile and drone attack on Israel, declaring a "special situation" in the country and warning that schools would remain closed that day, according to scmp, aljazeera, and channelnewsasia.

The strikes, confirmed by multiple sources including Israeli officials, targeted Iran's nuclear capabilities, which Israel perceives as a direct threat. Reports indicate that the Iranian air defense system was activated at full capacity following the attacks, and explosions were heard across various locations in Tehran, as acknowledged by state television, according to trtglobal and reuters.

As tensions escalate, the Biden administration has not publicly engaged with the developments, even as U.S. President Donald Trump had previously warned of potential conflicts in the region. Trump suggested that an Israeli strike would complicate ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, which are crucial for maintaining regional stability, as outlined in sources from salon and thejakartapost.

The geopolitical ramifications of these strikes are significant, especially as they follow a prolonged period of diplomatic attempts to manage Iran's nuclear program. The situation has prompted a surge in crude oil prices, reflecting global concerns over energy security in light of the conflict, according to lemonde.