Israel on Friday launched what it described as preemptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, sparking fears of a potential all-out war between the longtime regional rivals. The attack reportedly killed Iran’s Army Chief Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guards Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami, marking the most significant blow to the middle eastern country’s military in recent history.
Iran, within hours, retaliated by launching over 100 drones at Israel, according to the Israeli military, as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
Multiple sites across Iran, including its main nuclear enrichment facility and missile installations, were hit in what appeared to be the most significant attack on the country since the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.
The leader of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, General Hossein Salami, was confirmed dead, according to Iranian state television reported and top military officials and scientists were also believed killed.
Calling the offensive “Operation Rising Lion,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described it as a decisive moment in the country’s history, saying Israeli forces had struck at the “heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program”.
“We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history… Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat,” Netanyahu said in a video message.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned that “severe punishment” would be directed at Israel, as the strikes came amid simmering tensions over Iran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, particularly with the Donald Trump administration.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration seeks to distance itself from the Israeli strikes, though the US President said that Washington was aware of the development. The White House affirmed that it had no role to play in the strikes and urged Tehran not to target the US’s interests or personnel in the region.
Iran’s Khamenei said Israel will receive “harsh punishment” following an attack on Friday targeting Iran’s nuclear programme and killing several military commanders.
“The Zionist regime (Israel) unleashed its wicked and bloody hand in a crime against Iran this morning and revealed its vile nature. With this attack, the Zionist regime has prepared a bitter fate for itself, which it will definitely receive,” Khamenei said in a statement.
An Iranian security source also told news agency Reuters that Tehran is planning to give a response to Israel that will be “harsh and decisive”.
Israel, meanwhile, is fully on alert, with Military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir saying that tens of thousands of soldiers have been called up and that they are “prepared across all borders”. “I warn anyone who will try to challenge us will pay a heavy price,” he told Reuters.
Israel has also issued a national emergency, with Defence Minister Israel Katz asking citizens to obey instructions of the Home Front command and the authorities, and remain in the protected areas.
“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 was quoted as saying by the Times of Israel.
In the aftermath of the strikes and possible retaliation from Tehran, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport has been closed for both departures and landings until further notice, Reuters reported, citing the Israel Airports Authority.
Iran has also closed its airspace until further notice. Additionally, Iraq – which shares borders with Iran – has also closed its airspace and suspended air traffic at all of its airports, the state news agency reported.
