MILAN, Italy – Israel on early Friday announced it has carried out a “preemptive strike” against Iran, after multiple explosions were reported in the Iranian capital Tehran.

The attacks targeted several parts of Iran, including the capital Tehran and the Natanz nuclear research facility in Isfahan.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the country is at a “decisive point” in its history, adding that the aim of the operation is “to strike Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, Iran’s ballistic missile factories, and Iran’s military capabilities.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that “Israel took unilateral action against Iran," denying Washington's involvement in the strikes.

“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,” said Rubio. “Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”

Shortly after the launch of the attacks, US President Donald Trump began convening a cabinet-level meeting, CNN reported.

Reports of a potential Israeli strike on Iran have circulated in recent days, after the US State Department announced it was shrinking its diplomatic missions in several countries in the Middle East and authorized American dependents and non-military personnel to leave the region.

In response to the strikes, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said that Israel will “pay a heavy price for this crime that was committed with the knowledge of the evil rulers of the White House and the terrorist regime of the United States."

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that “Israel took unilateral action against Iran," denying Washington's involvement in the strikes.

The Iranian army meanwhile, warned that “the army of the Islamic Republic, along with the Revolutionary Guard Corps, will not tolerate the aggression,” threatening to “teach Netanyahu a bitter lesson," in a statement.

Israeli Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu hailed the campaign as “very successful,” in a video statement, saying “we carried out a very successful opening strike, and with God's help, we will achieve much more."