'Israel' launches major strikes on Iran

Roya News

19 hours ago

Loud explosions were heard in the Iranian capital Tehran, the country's state TV reported.
The 'Israeli' Air Force is currently attacking targets in Iran, per Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Katz declared a special state of emergency throughout 'Israel', for what he says is an expected missile and drone attack in retaliation for the strikes.
'Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,' Katz said
'You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas,' Katz adds.
Sirens have been activated all across 'Israel'.
Iran's semi-official Nour News agency cited eyewitnesses reporting powerful blasts in the Makhlati area in northeast Tehran.
'Israel's' public broadcaster reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called an emergency meeting of the security cabinet to monitor developments.
'Israeli' radio also announced a ban on public gatherings and the suspension of classes in all educational institutions.
Meanwhile, Hebrew media reported unconfirmed claims that Iran's Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Mohammad Bagheri, may have been assassinated. No official confirmation has been issued.
An 'Israeli' military source told journalists on Friday that Israel struck Iranian nuclear targets and other military sites across Iran.
"The strikes we are conducting are dozens of strikes targeting military targets and targets related to the nuclear programme in different areas of Iran," the 'Israeli' military official said, adding that the 'Israeli' army believed that Iran had the ability to strike Israel "any minute".
The 'Israeli' military said Friday it had completed a "first stage" of strikes that hit Iranian military and nuclear sites.
"A short while ago, dozens of IAF (Israeli Air Force) jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran," the 'Israeli' military said in a statement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 'Israeli' operation against Iran will 'continue as many days as it takes', revealing the strike targeted the 'heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment programme'.
He also revealed 'Israel' struck the Iranian nuclear facility at Natanz and targeted scientists.
"Loud explosions were heard in Natanz", which hosts one of the main uranium enrichment facilities, Iranian state TV reported.
An 'Israeli' defense official said the military believes the chief of Iran's military, Mohammad Bagheri, and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the first wave of airstrikes against Iran.
The likelihood of their deaths are 'increasing,' the official said, according to Hebrew media.
A second wave of 'Israeli' airstrikes against Iranian targets have begun, according to the 'Israeli' military radio.
'Israeli' strikes on residential buildings in the Iranian capital on Thursday killed a number of civilians including children, Iranian state media said.
"A number of people including women and children were martyred in a residential complex in Tehran," the official IRNA news agency reported.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander-in-chief Hossein Salami has been killed in an 'Israeli' strike – said Iranian state media Tasnim News.
'Israeli' air space was closed Friday, the country's transport ministry said in a statement.
"Air space is closed to takeoff and landing until further notice," the ministry said, as airport authorities asked travellers not to head to the country's main airport, Ben Gurion.
'Israel's' army chief, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, said Friday that the military's strikes on Iran may not achieve "absolute success" and warned citizens to prepare for a potential Iranian response.
"I can't promise absolute success –- the Iranian regime will attempt to attack us in response, the expected toll will be different to what we are used to," Zamir said in a statement, while calling the strikes on Iran a "historic campaign unlike any other".
'Israel's' attack on Iran on Friday killed the country's powerful Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami, local media reported.
"Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was martyred in the Israeli regime's attack on the IRGC headquarters," the local Tasnim news agency reported.
Mehr news agency carried a similar report.
Prominent nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi were also killed in 'Israeli' airstrikes early Friday – according to Iranian state TV.
Iran vowed a "strong response" to deadly 'Israeli' air strikes that hit multiple areas across the country on Friday, including nuclear facilities.
"The armed forces will certainly respond to this Zionist attack," said Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesman for the general staff of the armed forces, adding that the Israeli Occupation "will pay a heavy price and should await strong response from the Iranian armed forces."
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed a severe response following the deadly 'Israeli' strikes on Iranian soil, calling the attacks a 'bloody and criminal act' that targeted residential areas.
'To the great Iranian nation, at dawn today, the Zionist regime extended its filthy, bloodstained hand in a crime against our beloved country, revealing its wickedness more than ever by targeting civilian areas.
'This regime must expect a severe punishment,' Khamenei said in a statement.
He said that the 'strong hand of the Islamic Republic's armed forces will not let it go unpunished, God willing.'
Khamenei confirmed that several commanders and scientists were killed in the attacks.
'With this crime, the Zionist regime has paved the way for itself toward a bitter and painful fate — and it will undoubtedly face it,' he warned.