The Israeli Air Force launched a major strike inside Iran overnight, targeting nuclear sites and key military compounds in and around Tehran. Iranian media reported the deaths of several top commanders. Israel said the operation aimed to cripple Iran’s nuclear program, while Iranian officials warned of imminent retaliation.
The strike marks a significant escalation, with Israel taking direct action against one of its most heavily armed adversaries. President Trump stated earlier in the day that he remained opposed to an Israeli attack on Iran’s nuclear sites, reiterating his belief that a diplomatic agreement was still possible.
General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Gen. Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander in chief of all Armed Forces, and nuclear scientist Fereydoun Abbasi have all been killed during Israel’s overnight attacks, multiple Iranian state media outlets have reported. Iran’s military Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri was also killed in the strikes. Reports state that Khamenei's senior advisor, Ali Shamkhani, was seriously wounded and also later died.
Israel attacked at least six military bases around Tehran, including Parchin, and residential homes at two highly secure complexes for military commanders and multiple residential buildings around Tehran, in what appears to be targeted assassinations, according to four senior Iranian officials.
The strike was intended to cripple the country’s nuclear program, Israeli officials said. Air raid sirens sounded across Israel Thursday night, and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced a nationwide state of emergency. He warned that a missile and drone response from Iran was anticipated.
“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.
Shortly after the operation, Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement:
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
This article has been updated with additional information.
