A little afternoon, Eastern time on Thursday, President Trump was asked about the possibility that Israel might attack Iran.

How, Mr. President, how imminent is an Israeli strike on Iran?

Well, I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen.

Hours later, it did happen.

Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation

to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Iranian threat, according to Israel, is a secret program to build a nuclear bomb.

We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program.

We struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear weaponization program.

Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

Israel says its attacks overnight targeted Iran's military leadership and nuclear scientists and nuclear facilities across the country.

According to Iran, they also killed dozens of civilians.

Eyes now turn toward Iran and its response.

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Hamine said on social media that, quote,

the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see.

Meanwhile, the U.S. has been negotiating with Iran to try to reach an agreement to limit its nuclear program.

President Trump appears to hope the attacks will push Iran

towards a deal. No more death, no more destruction. He posted on social media, adding,

just do it before it is too late. But the Israeli attack could have the opposite effect, as he mused

in that Thursday press conference before the strikes.

I'd much prefer an agreement.

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