Tehran (TDI): Iran said Israel’s deadly strikes on its military and nuclear facilities on Friday were a “declaration of war” and called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to act.
In a sharply worded letter to the United Nations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged the Security Council to intervene, calling the assault “an act of war” that “threatens global peace and stability.”
The Israeli military said it had launched a major offensive targeting ballistic missile production sites, nuclear facilities, and senior leadership figures, as part of what it called a “prolonged operation” aimed at halting Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons ambitions.
Shortly after the strikes, Iran fired around 100 drones toward Israeli territory in retaliation. By mid-afternoon local time, Israeli authorities lifted emergency restrictions, saying the majority of incoming drones had been intercepted.
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Iranian state media reported devastating losses, including the death of IRGC commander Hossein Salami, six nuclear scientists, and several civilians, including children, after residential areas were hit in Tehran.
Meanwhile, a senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Shamkhani, was seriously injured in the assault, according to state television.
In swift response, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei named new military leaders: Mohammad Pakpour as the new IRGC chief, replacing Salami and Abdolrahim Mousavi to succeed General Mohammad Bagheri as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.
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Israel’s covert operations reportedly paved the way for precision strikes, including on Iran’s main uranium enrichment site in Natanz, and the IRGC’s central headquarters in Tehran.
Israel claims dozens of radar installations and air defense systems were destroyed in the first wave of attacks. Explosions were reported in multiple provinces, with social media videos showing smoke rising over sensitive facilities.
