ISRAEL launched a massive, illegal, surprise attack against Iran early this morning.

More than 70 people were killed by the attacks, local sources report.

The strikes, which have no basis in international law, came amid simmering tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme and triggered a limited immediate reprisal, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warning that “severe punishment” would soon hit Israel. 

In a statement, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the United States of being involved in the attacks.

“Without the co-ordination and approval of the US,” such an attack would not have been possible.

Iran launched around 100 drones, which the Israelis said they had intercepted.

Video footage on social media showed that a number of residential sites in Tehran and elsewhere across the country had been hit as well as military sites during the attacks which continued throughout the day.

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that an Israeli strike hit Iran’s uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and said it was closely monitoring radiation levels.

The leader of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami, was confirmed dead. The chief of staff of Iranian armed forces, General Mohammad Bagheri, was also confirmed dead by Iranian state television. Other top military officials and scientists were believed to have been killed.

Israel’s far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the attack for as long as necessary to “remove this threat.”

He claimed that Iran was “a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival.”

In Washington, the Trump administration insisted that it had not been involved in the attacks and warned against any retaliation targeting US interests or personnel.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US played no part in the strikes but that they knew in advance they were likely to take place.

Later President Donald Trump admitted the weapons used by the Israelis were supplied by the US and appeared to justify the attack, warning Iran to come back to the negotiating table over its nuclear programme.

As fears grow that the Israeli attack may spark a wider regional conflict, industry minister Sara Jones would not say during an interview on Friday’s Good Morning Britain whether Britain was aware of the attack in advance.

Later, Prime Minister Keir Starmer would only say the air strikes “are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently.

“Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”

Mr Netanyahu is reportedly set to speak on the phone with President Trump tonight as well as Mr Starmer and Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Tory shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel urged “all sides to work towards a de-escalation of tensions.”

Ireland’s deputy premier, Simon Harris, who is also the country’s foreign minister, urged “restraint and de-escalation by all involved.”

General Secretary of the TSSA union, Maryam Eslamdoust, who was born in Tehran, posted to the X social media site: “My first action today was calling my dad in Tehran to check that he’s still alive.

“Iranians all around the world are waking up terrified today.

“While the media talk as if Israel has somehow just attacked the Iranian state, it’s not true. Most neighbourhoods in Tehran were attacked.”

She added: “Israel’s aggression must end.”

Peace campaigners called for de-escalation and for diplomacy to be prioritised.

Independent MP Jeremy Corbyn told the Morning Star: “The world could have stopped the genocide in Gaza. 

“Instead, governments — including our own — allowed Israel to act with total impunity. 

“Israel’s reckless strikes on Iran are the product of that impunity. They represent a shameful failure of global leadership. And they are a threat to the safety of humankind across the world.”

CND general secretary Sophie Bolt condemned Israel’s attack and said: “The US and the wider international community must work to halt this escalation. 

“We need a nuclear weapons-free Middle East. This can only be secured through diplomacy, not military attacks.”

A statement from the Stop the War Coalition said: “Israel targeted Iran’s nuclear sites, military commanders and residential neighbourhoods in a brutal assault and in a clear breach of international law. 

“We demand that the British government condemns Israel’s actions and defends international law. Britain must not become involved in this dangerous escalation.”

The National Education Union said Britain “must stop all arms sales and military co-operation with Israel to ensure it isn’t facilitating these military actions in Gaza and beyond.”

Communist Party International Secretary Kevan Nelson told the Morning Star: “The unprovoked attack on Iran by the Israeli state terrorist regime is designed to escalate a regional war and scupper the ongoing negotiations in Oman, which were seeking a diplomatic resolution. 

“Israel, led by Netanyahu, is out of control and will continue to act with impunity unless global pressure is put on its enablers in London and Washington to stop this insatiable killing machine which is an affront to humanity.”

Iranian campaign group Codir said it watched the attack “with utter horror and revulsion. 

“The prime minister of Israel, a wanted war criminal, has openly and brazenly claimed responsibility for these pre-emptive strikes.”

The Tudeh Party of Iran said it “considers any foreign military intervention or aggression to be against the will, rights, and interests of the Iranian people. 

“Only imperialism, its client forces, reactionaries, and the ruling dictatorship benefit from tensions and war.”

Activist and historian Vijay Prashad said: “Israel is trying to draw the world into a series of wars that are dangerous. What is the red line of its lawlessness?”

In a statement issued yesterday, Hamas said: “Today, Iran is paying the price for its steadfast stance in support of Palestine and its resistance, and for its adherence to its independent national decision. 

“This calls for a unified stance from the nation and its vital forces in the face of this dangerous aggression.”

The Saudi Arabian ministry of foreign affairs also strongly condemned the “blatant Israeli aggression,” against Iran, “which undermines its sovereignty and security and constitutes a clear violation of international laws and norms.”

Executive editor of Black Agenda Report Margaret Kimberley said the attacks were carried out “with US approval and co-ordination.

“The Trump administration is fulfilling a decades-long US quest to bring about regime change," in Iran.

The US-[based Party for Socialism and Liberation said Mr Netanyahu “should be arrested immediately and brought to the Hague for war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes against peace. 

“We demand that the US cut all aid to Israel, that US military forces leave the Middle East and that the siege on Gaza is lifted.”