In a significant escalation, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes across Iran early Friday morning, focusing on sites linked to the country’s nuclear ambitions. Iranian state media confirmed the death of Hossein Salami, the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in these attacks.
Following the strikes, Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, announced a state of emergency, cautioning citizens that “a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reassured the public, stating, “this operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
As a precaution, all flights to and from Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport have been suspended.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported numerous casualties in Tehran. According to NBC News, Israel is also pursuing high-profile Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists for targeted assassinations, which are part of a broader offensive still in progress.
Airstrikes reportedly extended beyond the capital, with Iranian news outlet IRINN citing attacks on Natanz, home to a significant nuclear facility, as well as strikes in Khandab, where a heavy water reactor is situated, and Khoramabad, which houses a ballistic missile base.