Israel has carried out one of its most aggressive assaults on Iran to date, killing at least 20 senior Iranian military commanders in a wave of airstrikes targeting key military and nuclear sites. Among the dead are top figures in the Revolutionary Guards, including the head of Iran’s armed forces and the powerful chief of its aerospace division.
Two regional sources confirmed the toll: “In all, at least 20 senior commanders were killed.” Iran has also confirmed the deaths of its armed forces chief of staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, and Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami. The head of the Revolutionary Guards’ aerospace force, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, was also reportedly among the dead.
The strikes, launched early Friday, targeted nuclear facilities, missile factories, air defense systems, and key military sites deep inside Iran. Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said 200 fighter jets took part in the operation, hitting over 100 targets and signaling more strikes to come.
Defrin stated, “We destroyed dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers.”
Iran was quick to vow revenge. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of unleashing “its wicked and bloody hand” and warned of a “bitter fate.” President Masoud Pezeshkian told Iranians in a televised speech that a strong response is coming: “Our answer will make Israel regret its foolish act.”
Israel says it acted to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu invoked the Holocaust, calling the strike a necessary step to stop an existential threat to Israel.
The United States publicly denied involvement, but President Donald Trump made it clear he supported the strike. In an interview with ABC News, he said: “They got hit about as hard as you’re going to get hit. And there’s more to come. A lot more.”
On his social media platform, Trump added: “Today is day 61. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!” referring to his earlier 60-day ultimatum to Iran to agree to U.S. terms on nuclear talks.
Iran requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, calling Israel’s strike “unlawful” and “cowardly.”
While Iran denied it launched a wave of drones in retaliation, Israel said about 100 drones were fired toward its territory but intercepted. The brief panic in Israel saw citizens told to stay near shelters, but that order was lifted around 0800 GMT.
Iran’s Nournews reported at least 78 people dead and 329 wounded from Israeli strikes, including civilian casualties in Tehran. Israel, however, insisted its strikes were focused on military infrastructure.
An Israeli security source revealed that Mossad agents had been operating inside Iran ahead of the attack. The same source said Israel had also set up a secret drone base near Tehran for the operation.
Oil prices surged 8% on fears the attack could spark a wider war across the Middle East. Still, Iran’s national oil company said its facilities were undamaged and fully operational. OPEC’s Secretary-General said there was no immediate threat to oil supplies.
Meanwhile, air travel across the region ground to a halt. Flights were cancelled or rerouted over Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan. Airlines like Emirates and Israeli carriers El Al, Israir, and Arkia moved their planes out of harm’s way. Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was shut down.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz continued, but with growing caution. Some shipowners began looking to avoid the Gulf altogether.
Israel is bracing for retaliation. Embassies worldwide have been shut, and citizens warned to avoid displaying Israeli or Jewish symbols in public. Tens of thousands of Israeli troops have been deployed across all borders, according to military chief Eyal Zamir.
The international community, including Jordan’s foreign minister and Oman, urged de-escalation. Oman, currently mediating nuclear talks between Iran and the U.S., called the attack “reckless.”
Back in Washington, Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted the U.S. had no role: “Israel acted unilaterally in self-defence.”
Tensions have been building since the U.S. pulled out of the 2015 nuclear deal under Trump. Iran maintains its program is for peaceful energy purposes, but the IAEA recently found it in breach of non-proliferation rules for the first time in nearly 20 years.
As the region sits on the edge of all-out war, some Iranians are hoping this crisis brings down the clerical regime. But others insist a response is necessary.
“We can’t afford not to respond,” said one Tehran resident. “Either we surrender and they take our missiles, or we fire them. There’s no other option.”
