Latest news with #AhmadVahidi
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Nevatim, Tel Nof, Ovda airbases targeted in Iranian missile strikes, IRGC claims
Listen to article Iran has launched a large-scale retaliatory strike on Israeli military targets in what it calls Operation True Promise III, a senior Iranian commander announced Friday night. The escalation comes just hours after a deadly Israeli airstrike hit residential areas and strategic facilities in Tehran and elsewhere, killing several top Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists. Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, a senior advisor to the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), told Iranian state television that the operation targeted three Israeli airbases believed to have been involved in launching attacks on Iran. Speaking to Tasnim News, General Vahidi said missiles struck Nevatim and Ovda airbases—key Israeli military installations said to house command-and-control systems and electronic warfare capabilities—as well as Tel Nof airbase near Tel Aviv. Additional strikes reportedly targeted Israel's Ministry of Defense and military-industrial sites in central Tel Aviv. Vahidi further said that 150 targets were identified and hit in a multi-phase assault involving hundreds of ballistic missiles, which it said managed to penetrate Israel's multi-layered air defense system. The Iranian assault follows an early morning Israeli attack on June 13 that killed several senior military officials, including Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, and Major General Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC. At least six Iranian nuclear scientists were also reported killed. In a televised statement, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the Israeli attack and vowed severe retribution. 'With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see,' he said. The Israeli government has not yet issued an official response to Iran's claims.
Al Manar
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Manar
Iran Strikes Back: A new Batch of Missiles Rattle Tel Aviv with Deadly Attack
Iran launched a new batch of missiles targeting Tel Aviv and large areas in northern 'Israel', amid a state of high alert, Israeli media reported Saturday morning. Iranian state television reported a new round of 'True Promise 3' attacks. The Israeli Home Front Command said the sixth batch of Iranian missiles targeted large areas of 'Israel'. Tel Aviv after Iran attack — Mehr News Agency (@MehrnewsCom) June 14, 2025 Iranian missiles were able to bypass the Arrow and Patriot missile defense systems. Israeli media reported that 2 people were killed in a missile attack on Rishon LeZion in central Israel. An Israeli news outlet noted that there was great concern for many of the injured under the rubble, adding that 10 firefighting and rescue teams were working in the area. Meanwhile, Israel's Ichilov Hospital announced that it had received dozens wounded as a result of the Iranian missile attack. WATCH | Video documents massive destruction in Tel Aviv, Rishon LeZion, from the Iranian missile attacks. — The Cradle (@TheCradleMedia) June 14, 2025 Israeli reports indicated extensive destruction in the central region as a result of the recent missile barrage from Iran. The death toll from the Iranian attacks has risen to four, according to Israeli media, in addition to dozens of injuries, some of them critical. Some reports suggest that the Israeli military affairs ministry was also successfully targeted. Israeli occupation authorities have imposed censorship, restricting the release of images and videos from the sites of destruction amid fears of further Iranian retaliation, as tensions soar and fears of future waves of missile attacks intensify. Iranian missiles caused unprecedented destruction and damage in numerous areas, most notably Tel Aviv. Israeli media reported that approximately 300 rockets were launched from Iranian territory in three waves. In this context, Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that Iranian missiles completely destroyed nine buildings, while hundreds of other buildings were damaged in Ramat Gan in central 'Israel'. In his turn, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, speaking to state television, said the Operation True Promise III 'will continue as long as necessary,' while vowing to avenge the blood of martyrs.
Middle East Eye
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Iran says missile strikes on Israel will continue 'as long as needed'
A top adviser to the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has warned that Tehran will keep up its missile strikes on Israel for as long as it deems necessary. Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi told state television that the latest operation targeted 150 sites across Israel and was executed in several waves. 'Based on our assessment of the situation, this operation will continue as long as needed,' he said. 'The Israelis now realise they miscalculated and should expect consequences — this is only the beginning.' Iran said the missiles, launched less than 24 hours after it was struck, hit military installations and caused extensive damage.
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
Iran Strikes Back: Tel Aviv In Ruins, Top Israeli Sites Hit, 2 F-35s Downed, 1 Pilot Reportedly Captured Alive
New Delhi: Iran launched a massive retaliatory operation early Friday under the codename True Promise III, striking deep inside Israel and causing widespread destruction, particularly in Tel Aviv and other major cities. The operation followed targeted Israeli attacks that claimed the lives of senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. The Iranian strikes began at approximately 1:30 a.m. Iran time, marking the third phase of the operation – which had already hit several strategic Israeli positions in earlier phases. The elite Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) confirmed the operation less than 24 hours after what Iranian officials described as a 'series of aggressive assassinations' by Israel on Iranian soil, including in the capital, Tehran. Targets and Damage in Israeli Territories According to Israeli and Iranian media, dozens of missiles were launched toward multiple Israeli cities that include Tel Aviv, Jerusalem (al-Quds), Haifa, Beersheba, Lake Tiberias, Safed and parts of the Western and Central Galilee. Tel Aviv witnessed the most devastating impact of the Iranian strikes. A missile struck a 50-story building there, causing massive explosion and sending columns of smoke billowing into the air. Israeli Channel 13 described the aftermath as 'unprecedented destruction', with widespread fires, building collapses and civilian injuries. At least nine buildings were reportedly destroyed In Ramat Gan, while hundreds of others suffered damages. Fires broke out across multiple sites in the Greater Tel Aviv metropolitan area, including Jaffa and Dan Tel Aviv, where emergency crews responded to people trapped in multi-story structures. Israeli Army Radio and Israel Hayom reported a significant number of casualties, although official figures were withheld under a censorship order from Israel's Home Front Command. Authorities prohibited photography and video recording in targeted areas, urging settlers not to document the destruction – citing the risk of aiding 'the enemy'. Iranian Missiles Penetrate Israeli Defence Layers Reportedly originated from Israeli sources, videos circulating on social media showed Iranian ballistic missiles bypassing multiple Israeli defense systems. The IRGC's Aerospace Division is believed to have executed the missile operation and struck dozens of Israeli airbases and military installations. Former interior minister under President Ebrahim Raeisi, Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi confirmed that at least 150 targets were hit, including a nuclear research facility and the Israeli Ministry of Military Affairs. Reports also claimed that two Israeli F-35 fighter jets and several drones were downed by Iranian air defense systems. Tehran claims to have one lady fighter pilot alive. Director of the Center for Strategic Studies and International Relations Amir Al-Mousawi stated that one of the missiles struck a critical nuclear research center in Tel Aviv. High-Profile Iranian Casualties Prompt Retaliation The Iranian response followed a series of Israeli strikes that killed top officials in Iran's military and nuclear establishment. Among the high-ranking officials killed were Iran's Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC former Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, head of the IRGC Aerospace Division Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh and Khatam al-Anbiya Central HQ Commander Major General Gholam-Ali Rashid. The strikes also claimed the lives of veteran nuclear scientists Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, Dr. Fereydoun Abbasi and Dr. Abdol-Hamid Minoucher. In addition, more than 70 civilians, including women and children, were killed in the Israeli strikes, according to Iranian media. Leadership Response and Continued Threats The Iranian operation began just minutes after Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei addressed the nation in a televised message. In his speech, he declared that the Israeli regime had made a 'big mistake' and would be rendered 'helpless'. 'Our armed forces are ready, and the people of Iran stand united,' he said, adding that the Iranian response would be 'decisive' and 'based on the blood of the martyrs'. The IRGC, in an official statement, described True Promise III as 'crushing and precise', carried out under the code name Ya Ali ibn Abi Talib to coincide with the religious occasion of Eid al-Ghadir. The statement emphasised that the operation had the full backing of Iran's political leadership and people and was executed with the aim of deterring further aggression from the Israeli regime. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly held an emergency security meeting in an underground compound as missiles continued to fall across Israeli territories. Sirens remained active in many cities, and the Home Front Command urged civilians to stay near their shelters – signaling concerns of further escalation. Brigadier General Vahidi said that Operation True Promise III would continue 'as long as necessary', highlighting Iran's commitment to retaliate for what it described as 'aggression against its skies' and 'bloodshed of its martyrs'. While Israeli authorities have yet to release official casualty figures, independent reports suggest extensive damage to infrastructure and significant loss of life. Iran has indicated that further details of the operation will be released in due course. The situation remains tense as both sides brace for potential further escalations in the coming hours and days.
Barnama
a day ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Iran Launches Second Wave Of Strikes On Israel, Explosions Reported
Missiles launched from Iran are seen from Jerusalem, June 13, 2025. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun TEHRAN, June 14 (Bernama-IRNA) -- Iran has launched a second round of strikes on targets inside Israel, with Israeli media reporting huge explosions as missiles rain down, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) reported. Reports say missiles were launched from the capital, Tehran, and Kermanshah in western Iran towards targets deep inside Israel. Iran began retaliatory strikes on Israeli targets on Friday evening local time, after Israeli aggression targeted locations, including residential buildings, inside Iran. bootstrap slideshow Vivid images and footage captured by Israelis show Iranian missiles exploding upon impact and creating massive fireballs. A senior Iranian military official, General Ahmad Vahidi, said 'Operation True Promise 3' — as the Iranian retaliatory strikes are dubbed — will continue for as long as necessary. Overnight on Friday, the Israeli regime began a series of military strikes in and around the Iranian capital, Tehran, as well as other Iranian cities. Simultaneously, and anticipating a devastating Iranian response, Israeli Minister for Military Affairs Israel Katz declared a state of emergency across Israel. The Israeli military also carried out targeted strikes against Iran's top military brass. Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Baqeri, and Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami, were killed in Tehran. Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei appointed new top military commanders on the same day. According to Iran's Envoy to the United Nations, Sa'eed Iravani, 78 people, including senior military officials, have been killed and 320 injured so far in Israeli strikes.
