Israel hits Iran nuclear and missile facilities, appears to block retaliation

Israel executed extensive attacks on Iran on Friday, asserting it aimed at nuclear sites, missile manufacturing plants, and military leaders as part of a long-term campaign to stop Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Iran vowed to respond severely, while Israel indicated it was attempting to intercept approximately 100 drones aimed at its territory in retaliation. However, at approximately 0800 GMT, Israeli media reported that the directive for citizens to stay close to protected zones had been rescinded, indicating that nearly all the drones had been neutralized.

Crude oil prices surged due to concerns over potential retaliatory strikes in a key oil-producing area, but then retraced slightly. An Israeli security official stated that Israeli Mossad operatives had acted deep within the Islamic Republic prior to the assault, and the Israeli intelligence agency and military had conducted numerous secret missions targeting Iran’s key missile systems.

The source indicated that Israel set up a drone base for attacks close to Tehran. The military announced it conducted a major attack on Iran’s air defense systems, eliminating “numerous radars and surface-to-air missile launch sites”.

Iranian media and observers noted explosions, including at the primary uranium enrichment site in Natanz.

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps announced that its chief commander, Hossein Salami, was killed, and state media indicated that the unit’s base in Tehran had come under attack. They reported that multiple children lost their lives in an attack on a residential neighborhood in the capital.

“We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.

“Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”

He cautioned Israelis that they may need to stay in shelters for long durations. Simultaneously, Israel has restricted Iran’s capacity to respond by significantly weakening its allies in the Middle East since the onset of the Gaza war in October 2023, eliminating key figures in the Palestinian militant organization Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Around 200 Israeli fighter jets participated in the strikes, targeting over 100 locations in Iran, stated military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin.

He stated during an online briefing that Israel had confirmed the deaths of the Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff, the Revolutionary Guards commander, and the commander of Iran’s Emergency Command as a result of the strikes.

Iranian state media reported that six nuclear scientists were killed. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported no rise in radiation levels at the Natanz nuclear facility, referencing data from Iranian officials.

Airlines halted operations over Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan following Israeli strikes, with El Al, Israir, and Arkia relocating planes and shutting Ben Gurion Airport. Emirates canceled flights to Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iran as Iran closed its airspace.

The U.S. distanced itself from the strikes amid ongoing nuclear talks with Iran. Brent crude oil rose over 6% to $73.73. Trump reiterated that Iran shouldn’t possess a nuclear bomb, while Iran denied nuclear weapon intentions and rejected enrichment demands. The IAEA noted Iran’s breach of non-proliferation obligations.

Iran condemned Israel’s “cowardly” attack, emphasizing the need for its nuclear and missile capabilities. The Israeli military justified the action based on intelligence suggesting Iran was nearing nuclear weapon development. However, U.S. intelligence reportedly maintained that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon and that Khamenei had not resumed the halted program. Trump convened the National Security Council, expressing hope for peace despite the Israeli strike. Iran threatened consequences for Israel and the U.S., while diplomatic talks on uranium enrichment continue.