Israel Launches Airstrikes on Iran, Targeting Military and Political Officials
In a significant escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran, the Israeli military has carried out a series of airstrikes on targets in Iran, including military and political officials. According to a senior Israeli official, the airstrikes were aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear capabilities and responding to Tehran’s continued aggressive actions against Israel.
Iran International, a news organisation, was the first to break the news of the airstrikes, confirming that Israel had launched a series of attacks on military and political targets in Iran, including in the capital city of Tehran. The organisation reported that several buildings in different parts of Tehran had been targeted, with some suffering significant damage.
The Iranian government has confirmed that several high-ranking officials have been killed in the airstrikes, including Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, head of Azad University, and Faridun Abbasi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran. A senior Israeli official also confirmed that Mohammad Bagheri, head of the Iranian Armed Forces, was among those killed.
The Israeli military has released a statement confirming that it had carried out a "pre-emptive and precise" attack on Iranian soil, targeting sites associated with Iran’s nuclear programme and responding to Tehran’s continued aggressive actions against Israel. According to the statement, dozens of Israeli fighter jets took part in the attack, striking multiple military targets, including sites linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.
"We could not have waited for another time to attack Iran’s nuclear programme and military infrastructure; we had no choice," said Major General Eyal Zamir, Chief of Staff of the Israeli military. The Israeli government has emphasised that the airstrikes were necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capabilities and to respond to Tehran’s continued aggressive actions against Israel.
In a video message, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his continued support and emphasised that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear capabilities. Netanyahu also directly addressed the Iranian people, stating that Israel has no quarrel with them, but rather with the Iranian regime, which he described as oppressive.
"The day of your liberation from the grip of despotism is closer than ever," Netanyahu said. "On that day, Iranians and Israelis will renew our historic alliance." The Israeli government has made it clear that it will continue to take action to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capabilities and to respond to Tehran’s aggressive actions.
The US government has confirmed that it was not involved in the airstrikes, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Israel acted unilaterally in carrying out the attack. The US has emphasised that its priority is to protect American forces in the region and has expressed support for Israel’s right to self-defence.
Reports have emerged that Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, carried out a series of covert operations in Iran, targeting terrorist cells and other military targets. The Israeli government has also launched a diplomatic effort, with the Israeli Foreign Minister contacting counterparts around the world to explain the reasons behind the airstrikes.
In the aftermath of the airstrikes, flights at Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport have been suspended. The international community is watching the situation closely, as tensions between Israel and Iran continue to escalate.
According to Iran International, the airstrikes were a significant escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran, and the situation is likely to continue to deteriorate in the coming days.
