Operation Rising Lion: Before strike, Trump called for diplomacy; hours later, Israel hit Iran

Just hours before Israel launched a military strike on Iran, US President Donald Trump called for a peaceful resolution to tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. In a message posted late Thursday on his Truth Social account, Trump wrote, “We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”Shortly afterward, Israel launched what it called a “preemptive strike” on Iran, targeting nuclear and military sites. Iran’s state-run media confirmed that explosions had taken place. In anticipation of a potential counterattack, air-raid sirens were activated across Israel.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video message, announced the strikes conducted under ‘Operation Rising Lion’. “Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” Netanyahu said.Despite the escalating conflict, the United States made clear it had no part in the Israeli strikes. US secretary of state Marco Rubio released a statement asserting that the operation was carried out solely by Israel. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said. “Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”Meanwhile, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a sharp response, vowing retaliation against Israel. “Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers,” Khamenei said. “With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it.”