Israel Launches Airstrikes on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities and Command Centers
Israel announced that it had launched coordinated strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities early Friday, in a major operation aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The offensive reportedly killed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, according to the local Tasnim news agency.
In a statement posted on X, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the operation, codenamed Rising Lion, targeted “dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.” The military said dozens of Israeli Air Force jets participated in the operation.
Israeli forces reportedly targeted at least six military bases around Tehran, including Parchin, and struck residential homes within secure military compounds, as well as multiple residential buildings.
In justifying the strikes, the IDF said that Israel had no choice but to act, warning that Iran is now closer than ever to obtaining nuclear weapons, an outcome seen as an existential threat not only to Israel but to the broader international community.
“Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world,” the IDF stated. “The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required, as we have done in the past.”
In a video message, IDF Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said that the IDF had conducted significant preparations for the operation. “We are well prepared, both in defense and offense, to defend ourselves,” he said.
Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that, in addition to Salami, former Atomic Energy Organization head Fereydoon Abbasi-Davani and Khatam-al Anbiya Central HQ Commander Major General Gholam Ali Rashid were also killed in Israeli strikes on Tehran.
Open-source reports said that Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s military chief, was also likely killed in the strike.
Following the strike, Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a nationwide emergency and urged residents to stay in 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 said.
The Israeli strikes follow Iran’s threats to target U.S. bases in the Middle East amid nuclear deal disagreements, prompting the U.S. to evacuate some personnel from Iraq.
Media reports on Thursday claimed that Israel was preparing to attack Iran in the coming days. On the same day, President Donald Trump acknowledged the possibility of an Israeli strike but advised against it, noting that the chances of a nuclear deal with Iran were “fairly close” and could diminish if Israel proceeds with an attack.
“I don’t want them going in, because I think it would blow it,” Trump said when asked about his talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “Might help it actually, but it also could blow it.”
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. Other than that, I want them to be successful,” Trump further said. “We’ll trade with them, we’ll do whatever is necessary.”
