Israel has attacked several Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites, and carried out assassinations of top military officials and nuclear scientists. An initial wave of strikes was carried out on Friday morning. A second, separate attack on the city of Tabriz, northwest Iran, was reported by local media later on Friday. These attacks have sparked fears of World War III with Tehran promising a “harsh response.”
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned that Israel faces a “bitter and painful” fate following the attack.
“By God’s will, the powerful hand of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic will not let it [Israel] go unpunished,” he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a prerecorded message that the strikes early on Friday were aimed at hurting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile factories.
What has Israel attacked in Iran?
Strikes have been confirmed in the following locations:
The capital, Tehran, and military sites in the surrounding area.
The city of Natanz, where explosions were reported at the main uranium enrichment facility.
The city of Tabriz, where explosions have been reported near a nuclear research centre and two military bases.
The city of Isfahan, south of Tehran.
The city of Arak, southwest of Tehran.
The city of Kermanshah, west of Tehran.
Images posted on social media showed damaged structures, including residential buildings, across the Iranian capital.
Later on Friday, the Israeli army said it had damaged the Natanz uranium enrichment site’s underground structures, including a multistorey enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms and additional supporting infrastructure.
It added that “vital infrastructure at the site that allows for its continuous functioning and the continued advancement of the Iranian regime’s project to obtain nuclear weapons was attacked”.
Who has Israel killed?
According to Iranian media, Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian military, were among those killed in the Israeli attack.
State-run news outlet Nour News said Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani was “critically injured”.
According to Tasnim, the commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, Major-General Gholamali Rashid, was killed.
Al Jazeera’s Tohid Asadi, who is reporting from the Iranian capital, Tehran, said that aside from military officials, two top nuclear scientists, Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Tehranchi, were also killed in targeted assassinations.
Abbasi was the former chief of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, while Tehranchi was the head of the Islamic Azad University.
What has been the reaction in Iran?
People in Iran woke up to terrifying scenes of destruction in their neighbourhoods.
In a statement, Khamenei said Israel “opened its dirty and bloody hand to a crime” against Iran, revealing its evil nature more than ever by striking residential centres.
“The regime must expect severe punishment.”
Abolfazl Shekarchi, the spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces, was quoted by Iranian media as saying that Israel will pay a “heavy price” for its attacks.
What has been the reaction in Israel?
Israeli military chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, said Israel had reached a “point of no return” with the attack on Friday.
Describing the early morning strikes on Iran as a “fight to preserve our existence”, Zamir said Israel launched the attacks as it could not “wait for another moment to act”.
He also said: “Anyone who tries to challenge us will pay a heavy price.”
Israeli opposition politician Yair Lapid posted a message on X, formerly Twitter, congratulating the Israeli army for its attack.
How has the US responded?
Iran and the United States are currently involved in talks on Iran’s nuclear programme, aiming to reach an agreement that would limit the programme in return for sanctions relief for Iran.
In an interview with Fox News, US President Donald Trump said Washington was not involved in the Israeli strikes.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see,” Trump said, adding that the US will help defend Israel if Iran retaliates.
Trump is expected to convene a meeting of the National Security Council on Friday morning, the White House said.
In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US was not involved in the operation.
“Our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said. “Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
Opposition Democratic Senator Chris Murphy said the Israeli strikes are “clearly intended to scuttle” the Trump administration’s diplomacy with Iran.
What is the danger of hitting nuclear facilities?
Attacking nuclear facilities can cause several consequences of unpredictable scope, including radioactive leaks, explosions and long-term contamination.
Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says the UN body is closely monitoring the situation in Iran.
He said that the IAEA can confirm that the Natanz site was among the targets hit by Israel.
“The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country.”
What has been the global reaction to the attacks?
In a statement, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for “maximum restraint” to avoid “descent into deeper conflict” following the Israeli strike.
“The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East,” his deputy spokesperson, Farhan Haq, said.
“He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme are underway.”
Oman, which is mediating nuclear talks between the US and Iran, called Israel’s action “a dangerous, reckless escalation, representing a flagrant violation” of the UN charter.
“Such aggressive, persistent behavior is unacceptable and further destabilizes the regional peace and security.
“The Sultanate of Oman holds Israel responsible for this escalation and its consequences, and calls upon the international community to adopt a firm and unequivocal stance to halt this dangerous course of action.”
(Aljazeerah)
