There are growing fears of a full-scale war in the Middle East following a large-scale Israeli military strike on key targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities, top military commanders, and scientists.
The Israeli government described the operation, code-named Rising Lion, as a necessary action to neutralise what it called an existential threat posed by Iran.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised statement, said the strikes were focused on Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme and missile development efforts.
“We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme. We targeted its nuclear weaponisation efforts and key scientists. We also hit Iran’s missile development infrastructure,” Netanyahu declared.
He also warned Israeli citizens to brace for more escalations and possibly stay in sheltered areas for extended periods.
The Israeli military said Iran had earlier launched about 100 drones towards Israel, many of which were intercepted.
Meanwhile, Iran is still assessing the scale of the damage. Reports from Iranian state media confirmed that several top military officials were killed in the attacks. Among the casualties are the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Gen Hossein Salami; the army chief of staff, Maj Gen Mohammad Bagheri; and the commander of the Khatam al-Anbia joint headquarters, Maj Gen Gholamali Rashid.
Also killed were six nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi, a former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation.
Iranian state television further reported civilian casualties, including children, in one of the strikes that hit a residential area in Tehran.
Reacting to the development, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed a severe retaliation against Israel.
“In these attacks, several commanders and scientists have been martyred. Their successors will continue their work. The Zionist regime has written a bitter fate for itself and will surely face consequences,” Khamenei warned.
Despite earlier reports that U.S. President Donald Trump had advised Israel against launching the attack due to ongoing diplomatic efforts with Iran, he told Fox News he was not surprised by the action.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb. We are still hoping to return to the negotiating table. But if Iran retaliates, the U.S. will not hesitate to defend itself and Israel,” Trump said.
The situation remains tense, as both nations appear poised for further confrontation.
