Iran launched more than 100 drones toward Israel early Friday after an overnight Israeli missile attack on the country killed at least three of its senior military leaders.
"We can now confirm that the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, the Commander of the IRGC, and the Commander of Iran's Emergency Command were all killed in an Israeli attack on Iran," Israel Defense Forces spokeswoman Effie Defrin said.
"Iran launched about 100 UAVs toward Israel, which we are working to intercept."
Rocket sirens sounded in northern Jordan as Jordanian state media reported the country had intercepted several Iranian drones in its airspace.
The Israeli attack on Iran, which it said was aimed at a nuclear enrichment facility, came days before U.S. and Iranian officials were due to attend the sixth round of nuclear deal talks. It was the largest attack on the Islamic Republic since the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.
News of the strike sent oil prices soaring as much as 13% before paring gains, with global benchmark Brent crude at one point topping $78 a barrel.
Asian and European stocks fell, as investors sought safe havens amid fears of a wider war in a region that accounts for a third of the world's oil supply. Dow futures were down more than 500 points by 8:21 a.m. London time.
Brent crude was currently trading at $72.76 a barrel at 8:23 a.m. in London, up 5%, with U.S. WTI trading at $71.27 a barrel, up 4.6%.
All eyes are now on the next steps by Iran and the United States, particularly whether the U.S. will get involved in the conflict. The U.S. State Department has said it was not involved in Israel's overnight strikes on Iran, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling the action unilateral and urging Iran not to target U.S. interests or personnel in the region.
Tehran doesn't see it that way. Iran's foreign ministry warned that it would hold Washington accountable for the consequences of Israel's actions.
President Donald Trump is expected to attend a National Security Council meeting scheduled for 11 a.m. Eastern Time. (alg)
Source: CNBC
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