Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States was not involved in Israel’s Thursday evening strikes on Iran.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran,” Rubio said. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.”

Rubio added that “Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”

Rubio said that Israel advised the United States that the action was necessary and for self-defense.

“President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.”

Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its… pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2025

Israel launched strikes on Iran late Thursday evening — though it is currently still unclear which targets Israel struck.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a “special situation” throughout Israel for the next 48 hours due to a “high probability” that a retaliatory attack would occur.

Earlier on Thursday, President Donald Trump said that an Israeli attack was something “that could very well happen,” but said he preferred a diplomatic approach to prevent Iran from having a nuclear weapon.

Videos appeared online shortly after news broke of the strikes of what appear to be bombed sites in Iran:

Israel is currently striking Iran’s capital, Tehran.

Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/YzYr0CneRz

— AF Post (@AFpost) June 13, 2025

One person is confirmed to have survived the crash of an Air India passenger jet that claimed the lives of over 240 people on board.

Air India confirmed the survivor’s status, according to The New York Times. Viswash Kumar Ramesh, a 40-year-old British national of Indian origin, was on board the flight returning to the United Kingdom after visiting family in India. A brother of Ramesh was also on board the flight.

Ramesh was sitting near an emergency exit on the plane in seat 11A. He managed to get out of the plane via the exit and was placed in an ambulance by emergency personnel, according to police.

Video appeared to catch a bloody Ramesh limping away from the crash site, according to the Associated Press.

“As soon as the flight took off, within 30 seconds it crashed. There was no warning from the pilot or the crew members about the crash. When I found myself alive after the crash, I saw bodies ripped apart,” Ramesh told the Hindustan Times. “My leg was injured but I ran as fast as I could.”

Ajay Valgi, Ramesh’s cousin, said that Ramesh called his family after the crash to tell them that he was “fine.” Valgi added that he does not know what happened to Ramesh’s brother, according to the BBC.

The plane was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and was headed to Gatwick Airport in Britain after taking off from an airport in Ahmedabad.

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Most of the 242 passengers and staff on board the flight were Indian. Fifty-three were British citizens and eight others hailed from Portugal and Canada. Eleven of the passengers were children.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a statement: “The tragedy in Ahmedabad has stunned and saddened us. It is heartbreaking beyond words. In this sad hour, my thoughts are with everyone affected by it. Have been in touch with Ministers and authorities who are working to assist those affected.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the British foreign office is investigating the crash alongside Indian authorities.

“The images and news from India is absolutely devastating, and I speak for the entire country saying our thoughts are with each and every one of those involved. There will be British and Indian families across the land who are absolutely impacted by this, and our thoughts first and foremost are with them,” Starmer said.

Today is a truly heartbreaking day for many British and Indian families up and down the country.

I want to extend my heartfelt sympathies to all those impacted by the horrific plane crash. pic.twitter.com/wJGv9imrJ9

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 12, 2025