Israel strikes Iran in massive preemptive operation; Iran responds with 100+ drones

Top Iranian commanders killed in Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military sites; Tehran vows harsh retaliation as regional tensions escalate

Jerusalem: Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel early Friday morning in response to Israeli airstrikes, according to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Effie Defrin. The drones, reported by several Israeli media outlets, were expected to take hours to reach Israeli territory unless intercepted by defense systems.

In a powerful statement, the IDF revealed that its operation resulted in the killing of three top Iranian military commanders: Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces; Hossein Salami, chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps; and Gholam Ali Rashid, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. The military also claimed that over 200 fighter jets, guided by high-quality intelligence, struck more than 100 targets across Iran using 330 munitions. Among the targets were hideouts of senior Iranian military figures, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

---

The operation, launched in the early hours of Friday, marks a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between Israel and Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared in a televised statement that the country had embarked on a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. Netanyahu emphasized that the operation would continue as long as necessary to counter what he described as an existential threat.

Adding further weight to the developments, Defence Minister Israel Katz characterized the action as a preemptive strike to neutralize imminent threats. In response to the heightened security risks, Katz announced a special state of emergency across the country to bolster national preparedness and ensure civilian safety.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that loud explosions echoed across various parts of the capital, Tehran, during the early morning hours. While the source of the blasts had not been officially confirmed, speculation was rife that the Israeli strikes possibly targeted military infrastructure or nuclear-related facilities.

This unfolding situation dramatically intensifies the regional conflict, raising fears of further escalation between the two long-standing adversaries.