Israel carried out major airstrikes on Iran early Friday. The assault targeted Iran’s nuclear sites, missile factories, and top military officials. Israeli authorities said this was the beginning of a long campaign. Their goal is to stop Tehran from making a nuclear weapon.
Explosions were reported across Iran, including at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility. Israel declared a state of emergency in preparation for a possible counterattack. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed that Commander Hossein Salami was killed. State TV also reported that their headquarters in Tehran had been struck. In the capital, missiles hit residential areas, killing several children.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country is facing a historic moment. “Operation Rising Lion has started. It will continue until the Iranian threat is removed,” he declared in a video message.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the Israel strikes on Iran, calling it a bloody and criminal act. He warned of severe consequences. “Israel has committed a grave crime and will face a bitter end,” he stated.
An Israeli military officer confirmed that dozens of Iranian military and nuclear sites were being bombed, including Natanz. According to him, Iran now has enough enriched material to build 15 nuclear bombs within days.
The United States denied any involvement in the attacks. However, tensions in the Middle East have risen sharply. This region is vital to global oil production.
Israel’s Mossad agency also launched covert operations inside Iran. Axios reported that these included sabotage missions against missile sites and air defence systems. Iranian media said that two nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were killed in the attacks.
Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was closed. Air defence forces across Israel were on high alert. Defence Minister Israel Katz said a missile and drone attack from Iran was likely in the near future.
Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of troops had been mobilized. “This is a major campaign. Our survival is at stake,” he told the media.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was making urgent calls to global allies. He was explaining the reasons behind Israel’s attack on Iran.
US President Donald Trump reacted on Fox News. He said Iran must not be allowed to build nuclear weapons. He still hoped for future negotiations. “We’ll see,” he told reporter Jennifer Griffin.
The White House confirmed that Trump would meet with his National Security Council on Friday. The US military is also making plans to evacuate civilians if needed.
Iran’s military accused the US of supporting Israel. They warned both countries would face heavy consequences.
Washington kept denying involvement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Israeli airstrikes were done without US participation. “Our focus is to protect American personnel in the region,” Rubio said. He warned Iran not to strike US assets.
The State Department told all US government staff in Israel to stay indoors. The markets reacted immediately. Stock prices fell sharply in Asia. Investors rushed to buy gold and Swiss francs. Oil prices soared due to fears of war.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for calm. “Both parties must avoid full-scale conflict,” said his spokesperson Farhan Haq. “The region cannot afford another war.”
Meanwhile, the US and Iran still plan to meet in Oman on Sunday. The meeting will focus on Tehran’s uranium enrichment. American officials say the talks are still on, despite the recent escalation.
Israel claims it had no choice but to strike. They say recent intelligence showed Iran is close to producing a nuclear bomb. “The pace of this programme has increased,” said a statement from Israel’s military.
However, a source familiar with US intelligence reports said there has been no change in Washington’s view. According to US officials, Iran is not currently building a bomb. They believe Ayatollah Khamenei hasn’t restarted the nuclear weapons programme since it was halted in 2003.