Israel launched a large-scale airstrike on Iran early Friday, targeting approximately 100 sites including nuclear facilities and military command centres. The strikes resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami, according to Iranian media.
Among the key targets was Iran’s Natanz atomic facility, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as central to Tehran’s nuclear enrichment programme. “These strikes will continue as many days as it takes,” Netanyahu stated, warning that intelligence indicated Iran was nearing the “point of no return” in its nuclear development.
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the operation sent a “strong and clear message,” asserting that individuals involved in efforts to destroy Israel would be “eliminated.”
In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a “bitter and painful” retaliation. The Iranian military declared there would be “no limits” to its response, and later launched about 100 drones toward Israel. The Israeli military reported that its air defences intercepted the drones outside Israeli territory.
Neighbouring Jordan also reported intercepting drones and missiles that had violated its airspace, with air raid sirens sounding in the capital, Amman.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump told Fox News he had prior knowledge of the Israeli strikes, while emphasising that Iran “cannot have a nuclear bomb.” The U.S. government, however, stated it was not involved in the operation and warned Tehran against targeting American personnel or interests.
Iran dismissed the U.S. denial, saying the scale and coordination of the Israeli strikes could not have occurred without Washington’s involvement. “The United States will be held responsible for the consequences,” Tehran stated.
