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Escalating Tensions: Israel Strikes Iran, Prompting Severe Retaliation Threats
Amid rising regional tensions and concerns over Iran’s nuclear program, Iran has pledged a ‘severe’ response to Israeli strikes targeting Tehran’s nuclear installations. These strikes reportedly eliminated high-ranking officials from the Revolutionary Guard and prominent scientists. This Israel-Iran conflict is rapidly escalating.
Early Friday, Israel initiated a focused military operation in the Iranian capital, aiming to diminish what it perceives as an Iranian threat to its very existence.
In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cautioned that Israel would face “severe punishment” for its actions.

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Israeli military sources reported the death of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami during these operations on Thursday night.
Raids occurred concurrently at nuclear and military locations across Tehran, accompanied by explosions, and also at the residences of high-value individuals knowledgeable about Iran’s nuclear initiatives.
Iran Vows Retaliation Following Israeli Airstrikes
Iranās Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared on Friday that Israel will encounter a āsevere punishmentā for its assault on the nation.
Khamenei released a statement confirming that senior military figures and scientists had perished in the strike.
According to Khamenei, Israel ‘unleashed its wicked and blood-stained hand to perpetrate a crime against our beloved country.’
He stated that Israel had revealed ‘its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers.’
‘During the enemy’s attacks, several commanders and scientists achieved martyrdom. Their successors and colleagues will immediately resume their duties, God willing.’
‘Through this crime, the Zionist regime has brought upon itself a bitter and agonizing destiny, and it will undoubtedly confront it.ā
Earlier, Iranās state-operated IRNA news agency cited an unnamed official who stated that Iran would provide a ādecisiveā response to Israelās aggression.
‘The response to the Israeli attack will be stern and resolute,’ stated an official.
The official further mentioned that details of Iranās retaliation ‘are being deliberated at the highest echelons’ when questioned about the immediacy of the response.
Casualties Include Top Military Chiefs in Israeli Airstrikes
Emerging reports indicate that Major General Mohammad Bagheri also died in the airstrikes.
Bagheri held the position of deputy commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces in Iran, making him second in command only to the Supreme Leader.
His possible death, which needs verification, would significantly hit Iran’s command structure.
Local media sources also identified Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, Commander of Iran’s Central Headquarters, along with his son, as ‘martyrs’ of Friday morning’s attacks.
Confirmation had earlier surfaced regarding the death of Gen. Hossein Salami, head of Iranās paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
Mohammad Bagheri
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Monitors Radiation Levels After Strike on Iran’s Enrichment Facility
The IAEA has verified a strike by Israel that impacted Iran’s uranium enrichment facility located in Natanz.
Rafael Mariano Grossi, the IAEA head, communicated on X: ‘The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran.’
‘The Agency is in communication with Iranian authorities concerning radiation levels. We are also liaising with our inspectors within the country.’
Location of Iran’s Nuclear Facilities
Immediate Flight Diversions Following Strikes
Netanyahu Praises Trump’s Stance on Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions
In his remarks to the nation following the strike, Netanyahu recognized President Trump, stating: ‘He has reiterated consistently that Iran cannot possess a nuclear enrichment program.’
‘Today, it is evident that Iran was merely attempting to buy time.’
Strikes Occur Before Planned Iran-US Talks; Iranians Chant ‘Death to America’
These Israeli actions took place just days before a sixth round of discussions was set to occur between Iran and the US concerning Iranās rapidly developing nuclear program.
Officials representing both the US and Iran were scheduled to convene this Sunday in Oman for discussions regarding a potential agreement.
The prior administration had sought an accord that would suspend Iran’s nuclear pursuits in exchange for easing sanctions.
The impact of the strikes on the planned discussions remains unclear.
As Secretary of State Rubio emphasized that Israel acted independently in striking Iran, Iranian state television broadcast footage of demonstrators chanting ‘Death to Israel’ and ‘Death to Americaā.
Damage in Tehran Following Israel’s Operation
Netanyahu Addresses the Public on Airstrikes
Trump to Convene National Security Council Meeting Regarding the Israel-Iran Situation
President Trump will preside over a National Security Council assembly to examine the Israel-Iran situation on Friday morning.
The White House verified that the assembly would commence at 11 am local time.
United States Confirms Non-Involvement in Iranian Attacks
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explicitly denied any American involvement in the attacks directed at Iran.
He clarified: ‘We are not implicated in strikes against Iran, and safeguarding American forces in the region remains our chief concern.’
Rubio added that Israeli officials communicated their belief that the strikes were a necessary act of self-defense.
‘Let me state clearly: Iran must not target US interests or personnel,’ Rubio cautioned.
Trump had previously hinted at potential Israeli military action against Iran, despite ongoing negotiations concerning the nation’s nuclear capabilities.
Iraq Closes Airspace Due to Operations in Iran
Iraqās transportation ministry declared a ‘temporary closure of Iraqi airspace’ and a complete cessation of air transit.
Concurrently, Israelās airports authority announced the shutdown of Ben-Gurion International Airport, the countryās primary air hub, ‘until further notice.’
Targeted Attacks Claim Lives of Nuclear Scientists
Iranian state media mentioned Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi as casualties in the strikes.
Reports indicated the pair were targeted at their residences in ‘targeted assassinationsā.
Israeli Prime Minister Celebrates Targeted Strikes as Success
In his address to the nation following the operation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to Iranian leaders as ‘tyrants of Tehran’ who have ‘brazenly, openly called for Israel’s obliteration.’
He claimed, ‘They’ve supported their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weaponsā.
‘Iran has produced enough enriched uranium for nine nuclear weapons in recent years. Iran is now taking unprecedented steps towards weaponizing uranium and, unless checked, could yield a nuclear weapon very swiftly.
This could manifest ‘within a year, or possibly within months, less than a year. This poses an immediate threat to Israel’s very existence.’
Netanyahu asserted that the air strikes ‘struck at the heart of Iranās nuclear enrichment program.ā
‘We targeted Iran’s leading nuclear scientists engaged with the Iranian bomb,’ he continued.
‘We also dismantled the primary elements of the Iran ballistic missile scheme. Last year, Iran discharged 300 ballistic missiles at Israel⦠These missiles could soon transport nuclear payloads, and threatening millions.’
US Embassy in Israel Issues Shelter-in-Place Order
The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem has directed all staff and their families to shelter in place across Israel amid fears of a retaliatory attack.
The U.S. State Department shared the directive amid growing tensions in the Middle East.
Explosions in Tehran During Israeli Operation
Smoke Plumes Rise Over Iranian Nuclear Facility
On Friday, smoke was seen rising beyond Iran’s key nuclear enrichment installation situated in Natanz.
Iranian state television briefly showed this scene to the public.
Natanz is positioned partially above and partially below the surface, and houses multiple halls of centrifuges used to spin uranium gas vital to the nuclear agenda.
Netanyahu asserted that Israel aimed at this facility during the actions. Natanz has previously been targeted by the Stuxnet cyberattack and other sabotage efforts, purportedly undertaken by Israel.
Head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Among Those Killed
Head of Iranās paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, is presumed dead after an Israeli attack, according to Iranian state channels.
Alongside Salami, one senior officer and two nuclear scientists also perished.
The Revolutionary Guard is crucial to Iranās governance since its rise after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
It controls Iranās ballistic missiles, which had been launched toward Israel twice during the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
Salami warned of potential attacks less than 24 hours before his death: ‘We say today that we stand fully ready for any scenarios, situations, and circumstances.’
Salami added, ‘The enemy sometimes threatens military actions. We are ready because being ready for war is our job and duty.ā
Prior to his passing, Salami also cautioned Iran’s adversaries ‘not to make any miscalculations’ and differentiated between Iran and Palestine.
‘The enemy thinks it can fight Iran the same way it fights defenseless PalestiniansĀ who are under an Israeli siege.ā
‘We are war-tested and experienced,’ Salami stated, also pointing out that his officials were ‘monitoring the enemy.’
Israel Declares State of Emergency and Launches “Preemptive Strikes”
Israel launched “preemptive strikes” against Iran and announced a state of emergency as the country prepares for an Iranian response.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the attacks will resume āfor as many days as it takes to remove the threatā of the Iranian nuclear program.
Furthermore, Netanyahu conveyed that Israel aimed at Iran’s principal nuclear enrichment center located in Natanz and related ballistic missiles programs including top nuclear scientists and officials involved.