Israel has carried out a large-scale military operation against Iran, launching dozens of airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites, resulting in the deaths of two top Iranian generals.
According to the Israeli military, the offensive—dubbed Operation Rising Lion—was a “pre-emptive, precise, combined offensive based on high-quality intelligence.” In a statement, it said, “Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation, stating it was necessary to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” and added that it would continue for “as many days as it takes to remove the threat.”
Iranian state media reported that Hossein Salami, commander of the elite Revolutionary Guard, had been killed in the strikes.
Mehr News also reported the deaths of nuclear scientist Fereydoun Abbasi, theoretical physicist Dr. Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi, and Major General Gholam Ali Rashid.
Explosions were reported northeast of Tehran early Friday, with Iranian media stating that military buildings in the Mahalati complex, north of the capital, were struck.
In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the assault, warning of “severe punishment” and alleging that civilian areas had been hit.
“In the enemy’s attacks, a number of commanders and scientists were martyred. Their successors and colleagues will immediately continue their duties,” read a statement published by the Tasnim news agency.
