Israel has launched airstrikes targeting Iran, confirmed by two U.S. officials in an interview with NBC News. These officials emphasized that the United States is not involved in this operation.
The incident has shocked global financial markets. Crude oil futures surged during trading on Thursday:
- U.S. WTI oil jumped $3.94 (+5.79%), reaching $72.04 per barrel.
- Brent oil rose $3.87 (+5.58%), hitting $73.23 per barrel.
At the same time, the cryptocurrency market experienced a severe sell-off. Bitcoin dropped 4% in 24 hours, currently trading around $103,000. Other major cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum (ETH), Solana (SOL), and BNB also followed the downward trend.
According to data from CoinGlass, around 215,000 traders across the market were liquidated in the past 24 hours, with a total liquidation value of $1.019 billion, of which long positions accounted for $945 million. The largest liquidation occurred on Binance with the BTCUSDT pair, reaching $201 million—a substantial figure reflecting intense selling pressure.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a special nationwide emergency. The minister stated:
Following Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, we anticipate a retaliatory missile and drone attack targeting Israel and civilians in the coming days. Under the authority of the Civil Defense Law, I have signed a decree imposing a special emergency status across Israel. Citizens must strictly comply with directives from the Home Front Command and relevant authorities, remaining in protected areas.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that this is a unilateral action by Israel. He emphasized:
The U.S. is not involved in the airstrikes against Iran. Our top priority is to protect American forces in the region. Israel believes this action is necessary for self-defense. President Trump and the administration are taking all measures to protect American forces and maintain close communication with regional partners. I want to stress: Iran must not attack U.S. interests or personnel.
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of some U.S. personnel from the Middle East, warning that the region “could be a dangerous place.” He also reiterated a firm stance that the U.S. will never allow Iran to possess nuclear weapons. This statement marks a clear departure from previous U.S.-Iran negotiations, which were described as “positive” and “mutually respectful.”
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On social media, several videos circulated showing explosions in eastern Tehran and other areas in the Middle East. Sounds from fighter jets and air defense systems were also reported in northern Tehran, heightening tensions in the region.
