The Israeli military has carried out several waves of airstrikes targeting nuclear facilities and military sites across Iran, killing senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists.
The Israeli military confirmed that it had launched an “aerial campaign against Iran’s nuclear programme.”
The Israeli military’s Chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, said that Iran’s nuclear programme had reached a “point of no return” and Israel could not “wait for another moment to act” in the “fight to preserve our existence.”
Israeli strikes were confirmed in at least eight locations across Iran, including the capital Tehran, Iran’s main uranium enrichment site in Natanz, and a nuclear research centre in Tabriz.
Israel’s military disclosed that 200 fighter jets have been used in its ongoing strikes on Iran.
IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said during a live briefing, that more than 100 targets were struck across Iran, adding that “over 330 various munitions” have already been dropped.
Defrin said that Israel’s strikes were “part of a precise and synchronized operation” and that its pilots were “still striking military targets and targets from the nuclear program across different areas in Iran.”
In a prerecorded video message posted early Friday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes were aimed at hurting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile factories. “This operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us,” Netanyahu said.
Iranian state media has reported several casualties, with civilians and senior Iranian officials among the dead.
Confirmed killed are Hossein Salami, Commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, and nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi.
In a statement early on Friday, Israeli Defence Minister, Israel Katz described the attacks as “preemptive” and said that Israel was preparing for Iran’s response.
Iran Vows Retaliation
In a statement following the attacks, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Israel to prepare for a “bitter and painful fate.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said that Tehran has a “legal and legitimate” right to respond, accusing Washington of aiding the overnight attack, despite US claims otherwise.
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio said that there was no US involvement or assistance in the strikes.
“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. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Before the attack, US President, Donald Trump said that he did not want Israel to target Iran as US negotiations on a nuclear deal continue.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry emphasized that the country will not hesitate to defend itself.
“Such acts of aggression by the Zionist regime against Iran could not have occurred without coordination and authorization from the United States. Accordingly, the US government, as the regime’s primary backer, is also responsible for the dangerous consequences of this reckless escalation.”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry
Iran has called on member states of the United Nations to “urgently and collectively condemn” Israel’s strikes.
Meanwhile, the US issued a security alert for US government employees in Israel and their families, as the country braces for potential retaliation from Iran after Friday morning’s strikes. “As a result of the current security situation, the US Embassy has directed all U.S. government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice,” the advisory read.
It added that US citizens should have a “continued need for caution and increased personal security awareness,” and should know the location of their nearest shelter in case of emergency incidents like mortar, rocket or missile fire. “The security environment is complex and can change quickly,” the advisory read.
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