Israel launched a massive nighttime airstrike on Iran, targeting nuclear and military facilities in what it described as the opening phase of a long-term operation to halt Iran’s nuclear program. At least four high-ranking military officers, including Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, were martyred. Additionally, six nuclear scientists were martyred, according to Iranian state media and Reuters.
Iranian outlets report that five civilians, including women and children, were also martyred and around 50 others injured. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the attack as a grievous act, warning that it has sealed Israel’s “bitter and painful fate.”
The Israeli military reported deploying 200 fighter jets to strike over 100 targets, including nuclear enrichment sites like Natanz, missile factories, and command centers of senior Iranian military figures. It also claimed that covert Mossad commando operations preceded the strikes, targeting missile and air-defense infrastructure.
Iran responded by launching over 100 drones toward Israeli territory. While it intercepted most drones, air-raid sirens sounded across Israel, and the country sealed airspace in anticipation of retaliation. Global concern has increased, with regional air travel disrupted and oil prices jumping significantly.
Among the notable Iranian figures martyred were:
- Major General Hossein Salami, IRGC Commander-in-Chief
- Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff, Iranian Armed Forces
- Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, Commander, Khatam‑al Anbiya Headquarters
- Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, IRGC Aerospace Commander
The nuclear scientists martyred in the Israeli strikes include:
- Fereydoon Abbasi-Davani
- Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi
- Abdolhamid Manouchehr
- Ahmadreza Zolfaghari
- Amirhossein Feghi
- Motlab Lizada
Additionally, Ali Shamkhani, a top advisor to the Supreme Leader and senior IRGC commander, was reported critically injured.
In response to the loss of key leadership, Ayatollah Khamenei appointed Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces and Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour as the new Commander of the IRGC. Brigadier General Ali Shadmani was also promoted to Major General and appointed as Commander of the Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters.
This unprecedented strike marks a dangerous escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict. The UN Security Council has called for an emergency session, and international leaders are urging both nations to de-escalate tensions.
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