Israel carried out a large-scale air assault on Iran early Friday, striking over 100 military and nuclear-related targets in Tehran and beyond.
Among the dead are several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, Revolutionary Guard Commander Hossein Salami, and senior nuclear scientists.
The operation launched on Friday, reportedly involving 200 fighter jets, targeted key facilities such as the Natanz nuclear enrichment site.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the attacks and vowed retaliation, promising a “bitter and painful” response. Shortly after the strikes, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel.
The Israeli military reported that most were intercepted by its air defence systems.
However, both sides remain on high alert, with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warning that further Iranian retaliation could be imminent.
In the aftermath of the strike, Iranian state media reported civilian casualties, including women and children, in residential areas of Tehran.
Air traffic at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport was halted, and Iraq closed its airspace and suspended all flights due to the rising threat of regional escalation.
Israel also declared a state of emergency and shut down its airspace.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed in an interview with Fox News that he had prior knowledge of the Israeli operation but emphasised that the United States was not directly involved.
“Iran must not have a nuclear bomb,” Trump said, while also warning that Israel’s actions could endanger ongoing diplomatic efforts. He later added that a “pretty good” deal on Iran’s nuclear program was “fairly close,” though the attack might “blow it” or potentially “help it.”
Tehran, however, rejected U.S. claims of neutrality, accusing Washington of complicity.
The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, issued a clear warning to Tehran, urging Iran not to retaliate against American personnel or interests, reiterating that the U.S. had no role in the Israeli assault.
Meanwhile, fears of a broader regional conflict rattled global markets.
Oil prices surged by 12%, and major stock indices dropped amid concerns of prolonged instability in the Middle East.
The violence also casts doubt on the upcoming sixth round of nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, which had been scheduled for Sunday in Oman.
