Latest news with #RisingLionOperation
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Security Council convenes as Iran-Israel conflict escalates
Shafaq News/ On Friday, the United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session at Iran's request, following Israeli airstrikes that struck multiple locations inside Iranian territory. Earlier today, Iran's state media reported that its permanent mission to the United Nations had submitted an urgent letter to the Council, calling for condemnation of the Israeli attacks and requesting an immediate session. The strikes began at dawn, as Israel launched what it described as Rising Lion Operation, targeting a series of military and nuclear facilities across Iran. Sites hit included Natanz, Fordow, Tehran, Hamedan, and East Azerbaijan province. Iranian media confirmed the deaths of several senior commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with nuclear scientists and civilians. The large-scale assault also triggered a wave of international reactions, ranging from strong condemnation to calls for restraint and the revival of diplomatic engagement. As regional tensions escalated, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that Israel would face 'severe punishment' in response. Shortly afterward, Iran's official news agency confirmed the launch of Tehran's counterstrike, which has been designated The Severe Punishment. According to the IRGC, three waves of missiles—each comprising roughly 100 rockets—have so far been fired toward multiple Israeli military installations and airbases.
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's CF meets amid Iran-Israel war escalation
Shafaq News/ The Coordination Framework convened an emergency meeting following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Iran, a source reported to Shafaq News on Friday. Attended by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and other leaders of the Coordination Framework (CF), the meeting centered on the implications of the Israel-Iran war and its potential risks to Iraq. This session took place after Israel launched its Rising Lion Operation, targeting military and nuclear sites across Iran. Strikes hit key locations including Natanz, Fordow, Tehran, Hamedan, and East Azerbaijan province. Iranian media later confirmed the deaths of several senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. As tensions mounted, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed that Israel would face 'severe punishment' in retaliation. Iran's official news agency subsequently confirmed the initiation of Tehran's counterstrike, labeled 'The Severe Punishment.'
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Macron warns of "very dangerous" mideast after Iran strikes
Shafaq News/ On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron warned that the coming hours in the Middle East are 'very dangerous,' confirming that France did not participate in Israeli strikes on Iran but made clear that Paris would join in defending Tel Aviv if Tehran launches an attack. In a briefing, Macron expressed serious concern over Iran's nuclear program, describing recent findings from the International Atomic Energy Agency on Tehran's nuclear activities as 'extremely worrying.' He also noted that Iran has enriched uranium to a level capable of producing a nuclear weapon, exceeding the limits set by the 2015 nuclear agreement by 40 times. These remarks came in the wake of Israel's Rising Lion Operation, which targeted military and nuclear sites across Iran, including locations in Natanz, Fordow, and key areas in Tehran, Hamedan, and East Azerbaijan province. Iranian media confirmed the deaths of several senior IRGC commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. As tensions mounted, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed that Israel would face 'severe punishment' in response to the strikes. Tehran's retaliatory operation, named 'The Severe Punishment,' was later confirmed by Iran's official news agency. So far, three salvoes of missiles have been launched toward Israel
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran begins missile retaliation on Israel
Shafaq News / Israel entered a state of high alert late Friday night, as Iran's official news agency confirmed the launch of Tehran's response to Israel's Rising Lion Operation. Iran has named its operation as "The Severe Punishment". The Israeli Home Front Command confirmed that missile launches from Iran had triggered emergency sirens across major cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Meanwhile, a third salvo of missiles was launched from Iran toward Israel. In an official alert, authorities stated, 'We have detected missile launches toward Israel. Sirens may be activated within the coming minutes.' Citizens were urged to take immediate shelter. 'We urge all residents to enter their protected spaces now,' the command warned, as the country's missile defense systems, including Iron Dome and David's Sling, were activated to intercept incoming projectiles. Initial reports from Israeli media indicate that about 100 Iranian missiles were launched toward Israel. Israeli Channel 13 reported that a fire has broken out near the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Tel Aviv, while Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom said that rockets have landed in at least seven locations across central Israel. Earlier on Friday, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning, promising 'severe punishment' for what he described as Israel's crimes against the Iranian people. In a televised address, Khamenei asserted that Iran's armed forces would leave Israel in a 'dire state' and urged Iranians to remain confident in the state's military capabilities.
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iran-backed groups hold US responsible for Israeli strikes on Iranian territory
Shafaq News/ Two prominent Iran-aligned Iraqi factions, Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq, issued sharp condemnations on Friday, accusing the United States of enabling Israel's sweeping air raids deep inside Iranian territory. The groups warned that the continued presence of foreign forces, especially those controlling Iraq's airspace, risks transforming the country into a battlefield. In a statement, Kataib Hezbollah held US President Donald Trump directly responsible for what it called a 'criminal and treacherous aggression' by Israel, which targeted both civilian areas and critical infrastructure across Iran. The group urged the Iraqi government to expedite the withdrawal of US forces and asserted that shielding Iraq from war requires curbing all foreign military influence—particularly airspace control. Meanwhile, Asaib Ahl al-Haq urged 'honorable resistance fighters' to remain on alert and called on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to resist US pressure. Describing the Israeli operation as a blatant 'violation of international laws and norms,' the group rejected the use of Iraqi airspace to conduct the attacks, reaffirming its unwavering support for the Iranian people and leadership. The statements came in the wake of Israel's Rising Lion Operation that struck military and nuclear sites across Iran, including Natanz, Fordow, and targets in Tehran, Hamedan, and East Azerbaijan province. Iranian media confirmed the deaths of multiple senior IRGC commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians. Iran's Atomic Energy Organization confirmed that the Natanz uranium enrichment site sustained multiple strikes. While no external radiation leakage was detected, authorities reported internal contamination and launched emergency decontamination procedures. Amid the escalating situation, Iran shut down its airspace 'until further notice' and placed strategic facilities on high alert. Fighter jets were seen patrolling the skies over Mashhad, signaling increased military readiness across the country. Local officials in Hamedan reported that a key radar station in Nahavand was hit, while in East Azerbaijan province, Iranian authorities confirmed 18 fatalities and at least 35 injuries from the strikes. Red Crescent spokesperson Mojtaba Khaledi stated that rescue operations are ongoing in 12 provinces, with 95 people transferred to hospitals and 26 receiving field treatment. As tensions continue to rise, an Iranian security official told Reuters that Tehran is preparing a 'painful' retaliation against Israel, marking a potential turning point in the unfolding regional confrontation.
