Tehran, Iran — Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply on Friday after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed severe punishment against Israel following deadly air strikes on Iranian soil.
“Israel has prepared a bitter fate for itself, which it will definitely receive,” Khamenei said in a statement, responding to strikes that targeted multiple locations across Iran earlier in the day.
The raids resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian military officials, including Major General Hossein Salami, Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri, and Lieutenant General Gholam Ali Rashid of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, according to state media reports.
In addition, at least two Iranian nuclear scientists, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, were reportedly killed. Explosions rocked Tehran and the regions of Natanz, Khondab, and Khorramabad, with Iranian state television reporting civilian casualties, including women and children, in a residential area of the capital.
Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces, declared that Iran would deliver a “harsh response” to what he termed a blatant act of aggression. “The Iranian armed forces are fully prepared to make Israel pay a heavy price for its actions,” he told IRIB TV.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed launching a “preemptive, precise, combined” operation targeting dozens of military sites, including nuclear facilities within Iran. “Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon,” the IDF stated, justifying the strikes as necessary for national security.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, saying, “Our goal is to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile factories, and military capabilities. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes.” IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir added that Israel was “at the point of no return” and had “no other choice” but to act in self-defense.
In response to potential retaliation, the IDF’s Home Front Command has suspended educational activities and public gatherings, except for essential services. The Israeli Health Ministry has also instructed hospitals to elevate their alert status, relocate to protected areas, and utilize underground facilities.
Iran reportedly launched over 100 drones toward Israel, according to IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin, who noted that efforts are underway to intercept them.
On the international front, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied any involvement in the “unilateral” Israeli attack. “Israel informed us that they believed the strikes were necessary for their self-defense,” Rubio said in a statement.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed concerns over the escalating conflict amid ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program. “I want to have an agreement with Iran. We’re fairly close to an agreement,” he told reporters. “As long as I think there is an agreement, I don’t want them [Israel] going in because that would blow it.”
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the military escalation, particularly criticizing attacks on nuclear facilities during delicate diplomatic talks. “The Secretary-General is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear program are underway,” his deputy spokesperson said.
The situation remains highly volatile, with the international community watching closely as the potential for further conflict looms over the region.
