Israel’s military launched a wave of strikes on Iran early this morning, targeting key nuclear facilities. According to Iran’s Tasnim state news agency, the assault also hit residential areas, injuring at least 50 people. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the military operation will continue as long as necessary. In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned Israel of severe punishment. Israel’s military said Iran fired about 100 drones towards its territory, many of which were intercepted.
Meanwhile, world leaders have expressed concern over the escalating situation in West Asia. India has called for restraint from both sides and emphasised the importance of resolving the underlying issues through diplomatic channels. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing deep concern over the rising tensions between Israel and Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel had taken unilateral action against Iran and stated that the United States believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defence.
Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the Israeli attacks. In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom strongly condemns and denounces the assault on Iran.
Oman, which has been mediating nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran in recent months, described Israel’s actions as a dangerous and reckless escalation that violates the principles of international law.
Several of Iran’s most powerful men have been killed, according to Iranian authorities and state media. They included Gen. Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the country’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces and the country’s highest-ranking military officer.
Also among the dead are Iran’s former national security chief Ali Shamkhani – a key adviser to Khamenei who served as secretary of the National Security Council for almost a decade – and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the IRGC’s Air Force, who was killed alongside two other air force commanders. Six of Iran’s nuclear scientists, were killed, state affiliated Tasnim news agency said.
Khamenei appointed new commanders on Friday to head key military entities, including Brig. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, the new head of the IRGC.
Friday’s strikes suggest Netanyahu saw a window of opportunity to meet Israel’s longstanding objective of obliterating Iran’s nuclear program. Iran is in its weakest military position in decades following crippling economic sanctions, previous Israeli strikes on its air defenses and decimation of its most powerful regional proxies, including Hezbollah.
US officials had previously told CNN that Israeli strikes on Iran would be a brazen break with Trump’s approach on the Middle East.
Trump told CNN on Friday that the US supports Israel and called the strikes on Iran “a very successful attack.”
