The Israeli government has declared a state of emergency and is bracing for retaliation following what it has described as a "preemptive strike" on Iran.

The announcement was made by Defense Minister Israel Katz, who warned that Israel expects an imminent counterattack involving missiles and drones.

"Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," Katz said in a public statement.

Additionally, several unconfirmed reports state that Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mohammad Bagheri, was killed in a strike.

Shortly after the announcement, air raid sirens were reported in Tel Aviv, signaling the city to prepare for a potential aerial assault.

A US official told ABC News that the United States was not involved in the operation and did not assist with the Israeli strike.

The strike comes as the US planned nuclear talks with Iran over the coming weekend. 

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country would continue to enrich uranium though he denied that the country was attempting to make a nuclear bomb.

"We will go our own way, and we will have the enrichment," Pezeshkian said.

"We will build this country with these very young people. It's not like if, for example, someone bombs our place, that's the end of it. All this is in mind. Whatever they do, we will rebuild," Pezeshkian added.

Earlier today, President Donald Trump warned that Israel could strike Iran, saying that a preemptive attack could “very well happen.”

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We’ll trade with them, we’ll do whatever is necessary."

“I’d love to avoid the conflict. Iran’s going to have to negotiate a little bit tougher — meaning they’re going to have to give us some things that they’re not willing to give us right now,” Trump continued.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, when asked about possible military action by Israel on Thursday, said: 

"What I know is that Bibi Netanyahu is going to put his country first, and we're going to put our country first, and we're positioned properly in the region ... for any potential contingency," Hegseth stated.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said of the strikes: “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. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”

In a post to X, the IDF said: "Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran. Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world. The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past."