Israel hit Iran. Source image: AP
Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iranian military and nuclear sites early Friday, targeting dozens of locations across the country, including central Tehran. The strikes have resulted in significant casualties, including the deaths of top military commanders and nuclear scientists.
Key Targets Hit by Israel:
- Nuclear Sites: The Natanz enrichment facility was hit multiple times, with heavy smoke billowing from the site. Israel’s goal is to roll back Iran’s nuclear program, which it sees as an existential threat.
- Military Commanders: Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were killed in the attack.
- Nuclear Scientists: Prominent nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi and Dr. Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi were also among the dead.
Iranian Response:
- Supreme Leader’s Warning: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel of “severe punishment” for its actions, describing the attack as a “crime”.
- Protests in Qom: Hundreds gathered at the Jamkaran Mosque, demanding retaliation against Israel and waving Iranian flags while shouting anti-Israeli slogans.
- Closure of Airspace: Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Jordan have all closed their airspace to civilian flights following the attack.
Global Reaction:
- US Position: The US has distanced itself from the strikes, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Israel acted unilaterally in self-defense. The US is not involved in the strikes.
- UN Condemnation: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation in the Middle East, expressing concern over attacks on nuclear installations in Iran.
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