Tehran (TDI): Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has issued a sharp warning to Israel, vowing it will face harsh consequences following Friday’s airstrikes on Iranian territory, including in Tehran and near key nuclear sites.
In a strongly worded statement released hours after the attack, Khamenei said, “With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself up for a bitter and painful fate and it will undoubtedly face it.”
The Iranian leader’s remarks signal a potential escalation in regional tensions, as Tehran weighs its response to what it called a blatant act of aggression by Israel.
Israel launched a sweeping military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile production centers, and senior military officials. The Israeli government described the offensive as the first phase of a broader effort to neutralize what it sees as a growing existential threat from Tehran.
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Loud explosions were reported across several Iranian cities, including at the Natanz nuclear site, widely known as a key hub in Iran’s uranium enrichment program. Iranian news outlets confirmed the blasts, while Israel said it was bracing for possible retaliation and had declared a state of emergency.
According to Israel’s military, roughly 100 drones were launched by Iran toward Israeli airspace in response. Brigadier General Effie Defrin stated that Israeli air defense systems were actively engaging the UAVs. He also revealed that about 200 fighter jets had taken part in air raids on nearly 100 high-value targets across Iran.
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One of the most notable developments was the reported death of General Hossein Salami, head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iranian state media also reported that the IRGC headquarters in Tehran was hit. Civilian casualties were also mentioned, with reports saying several children died when residential buildings were struck in the capital.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a video statement, announcing the launch of Operation Rising Lion, which he described as an effort to push back against Iran’s nuclear advances. “We are at a critical turning point,” he said. “This mission will not stop until we are confident the Iranian threat has been neutralized.”
