Israel-Iran updates: Iran launches more missiles at Israel, sirens sound in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem

Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called Israel’s strike on Iran a "reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence."

"While tensions between Israel and Iran are real and complex, military aggression of this scale is never the answer," Reed said in a statement Thursday night.

Reed called on President Donald Trump to be "crystal clear with the American people and the international community in charting a way forward."

"The world cannot afford more devastating conflict born of short-sighted violence," he said.

-ABC News' Allie Pecorin

The IDF said the operation, titled "Rising Lion," comes after intelligence identified that Iran has "significantly advanced towards obtaining a nuclear weapon," alleging this capability would allow them to act against Israel.

Israel estimates Iran now has enough enriched material for several nuclear bombs, the IDF and an Israeli official familiar with the operation told ABC News.

After Israel launched what it called a "preemptive strike" against Iran, Sec. of State Marco Rubio released a statement saying, "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."

Rubio said the U.S. was advised by Israel that "they believe this action was necessary for its 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. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” Rubio's statement continued.

Israel said it has launched a series of strikes against Iran that included dozens of military targets, including the country's nuclear program, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Defense Minister Israel Katz described the strikes as "preemptive" and declared a state of emergency.

"Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," Katz said in a statement.