#IsraelIranConflict

Israel chose to act now, whether Trump likes it or not4 hours ago

It has been clear that there has been growing tension between Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump over the possibility that Israel would launch an attack on Iran.

Trump has been telling the Israeli leader that he doesn't want him to do this now and to wait, while the US administration continues nuclear negotiations with the Iranians.

But the Israelis clearly thought that they had their opportunity to act.

They believe that the Iranians are as debilitated as they are going to be in the region after last year's degradation of Hezbollah in Lebanon - that took away a huge deterrent factor from Israel.

Netanyahu felt that now was the time, even if the Americans don't like it.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a brief statement soon after news of the military strikes broke, putting distance between the US and what he called "unilateral action" by their close ally.

"We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," he said.