Israel has launched a large-scale aerial attack on Iran, targeting military and nuclear sites in a surprise operation named “Rising Lion.” The strikes, carried out by dozens of Israeli Air Force jets, reportedly caused heavy damage and resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials, according to both Israeli military sources and Iranian state media.
In a statement released early Friday, the Israeli military said the operation was a “pre-emptive, precise, combined offensive based on high-quality intelligence.” Officials said this marked just the beginning of the campaign, which is expected to continue until what they called the “Iranian threat” is neutralized.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also addressed the nation following the strikes, saying the goal was to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival” and that the military operation would go on “as many days as it takes to remove the threat.”
Iranian media confirmed that explosions were heard northeast of Tehran in the early morning hours. Reports said several military buildings were hit in the Mahalati complex, which is located north of the capital. Among the dead, Iranian outlets named Hossein Salami, commander of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, and nuclear scientist Fereydoun Abbasi. Also reported killed were physicist Dr. Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi and Major General Gholam Ali Rashid.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reacted strongly to the attacks. He accused Israel of targeting residential areas and warned of future retaliation. “In the enemy’s attacks, a number of commanders and scientists were martyred. Their successors and colleagues will immediately continue their duties,” said a statement published by the Tasnim news agency.
