Widespread Israeli strikes hit Iran; top commanders killed; Khamenei vows 'harsh punishment' for Tel Aviv
Israel launched major air strikes across Iran early on Friday, with Iranian media reporting senior military commanders had been killed and nuclear facilities targeted in an operation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said would last for days and was aimed at defeating an existential threat.
In response, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed 'harsh punishment' for Israel and an army spokesman said Tehran would make Israel and the United States pay a 'heavy price'. Iran has closed its airspace until further notice.
An Israeli military spokesperson said 200 fighter jets participated in the overnight attacks, striking more than 100 targets. The Israeli military also stated that Iran had launched over 100 drones toward Israel in the hours preceding the strikes.
Iranian news agencies, including Fars and Tasnim, reported that the dead included Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, the chief of staff of the armed forces; and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force.
According to a source cited by Israeli Army Radio, the attack in the capital, Tehran, targeted military leadership, including the army's general staff.
The strikes occurred as the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump was preparing to hold a sixth round of talks on Sunday concerning Tehran's uranium enrichment programme.
ISRAELI OPERATION
Prime Minister Netanyahu said the operation was underway to counter the threat posed by Tehran.
'A few moments ago, we launched a military operation aimed at defeating the Iranian threat to Israel's existence,' Netanyahu said. 'We targeted the main Iranian enrichment facility in Natanz, as well as prominent Iranian nuclear scientists working on manufacturing an Iranian bomb. We also struck the heart of the Iranian ballistic missile programme.'
He added: 'We are passing through a sensitive stage in Israel's history.' He warned that the operation 'will cause damage to the Iranian nuclear infrastructure, its military capabilities, and its ballistic missile factories.'
Netanyahu stressed that Israel's battle is not with the Iranian people but 'with the Iranian dictatorship.' The Israeli military later announced it had completed an 'opening strike' against dozens of military and nuclear targets.
IRAN VOWS RETALIATION
Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who an Iranian security source told Reuters was safe and being continuously updated, vowed retaliation.
He stated that 'Tel Aviv has revealed its malicious and bloody face in this crime against Iran.' In a post on the social media platform X, Khamenei said, 'At the dawn of this day, the evil and blood-stained hand of the Zionist entity extended to commit a crime in our country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by targeting residential centres.'
Iran's Ministry of Defence stated its readiness to deliver a 'harsh and deterrent' punishment, stressing that Tel Aviv will 'pay the price for this crime with its entire entity,' according to the Mehr News Agency.
The Iranian government said in a statement that the Israeli attack, which it described as 'cowardly,' demonstrates why Tehran insists on pursuing enrichment, nuclear technology, and missile capabilities.
U.S. HAD PRIOR KNOWLEDGE
The Trump administration distanced itself from the operation, stating it had prior knowledge of the attacks but did not participate. The U.S. urged Tehran not to target American interests or personnel in the Middle East.
On Friday, President Trump confirmed the U.S. was aware of the plan, saying 'there were no surprises.' He reiterated that 'Washington did not participate militarily' and expressed hope that 'Iran will return to the negotiating table.' In an interview with Fox News, Trump stressed, 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon.'
He added: 'We hope to return to the negotiating table… We'll see… There are a number of Iranian leaders who will not be coming back,' an apparent reference to the Iranian officials reported killed. The White House said Trump would hold a National Security Council meeting on Friday morning.
Marco Rubio, Secretary of State and National Security Advisor in the Trump administration, affirmed the Israeli strikes were 'unilateral.'
'We did not participate in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is the protection of American forces in the region,' Rubio said in a statement. 'Israel informed us that it believes this action is necessary to defend itself.' He issued a stern warning to Tehran: 'Let me be clear: Iran must not target American interests or personnel.'
ISRAEL ON HIGH ALERT
In Israel, the government implemented several emergency measures in anticipation of a potential Iranian response. The office of Defence Minister Yisrael Katz announced the activation of a 'special state of emergency' and emergency work procedures to ensure vital factories remain operational.
'The use of emergency work procedures allows essential facilities to summon employees even in the case of a shutdown of economic activities,' Katz said in a statement.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry also activated a state of emergency, opening its emergency operations room for all Israeli missions worldwide. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar held calls with his international counterparts regarding the attack, the ministry said.
Reuters reported that warning messages were sent to Israelis via mobile phones, urging them to 'stay near shelters.'
Egypt Condemns Israeli Strikes on Iran, Warns of Regional Chaos
Egypt has condemned military strikes conducted by the Israeli army against Iran, calling the attack a 'blatant and extremely dangerous regional escalation' and a 'flagrant violation of international law'.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Egyptian government said it was following the rapidly unfolding developments with deep concern and warned that the 'unjustified act' threatened to plunge the entire region into chaos.
'Egypt condemns the military strikes conducted by the Israeli army against the Islamic Republic of Iran early on Friday, 13 June 2025,' the statement read. 'These strikes represent a blatant and extremely dangerous regional escalation, a flagrant violation of international law and the UN Charter, and a direct threat to regional and international peace and security.'
Cairo said the attack would only serve to inflame the situation and lead to a wider conflict with unprecedented consequences for regional stability.
'This action jeopardises the well-being of the region's peoples and threatens to plunge the entire region into overwhelming chaos,' the statement continued.
Egypt reiterated its position that political and peaceful solutions are the only way to resolve regional crises.
'Egypt reiterates its assertion that there are no military solutions to the region's crises, but rather that they must be resolved through political and peaceful means,' it said.
The statement concluded by saying that security for any nation, including Israel, could not be achieved through force. 'Furthermore, Egypt affirms that the arrogance of power will not bring security to any nation, including Israel. Instead, security can only be achieved through respect for the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of states, the realisation of justice, and an end to the Israeli occupation of Arab lands.'
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