The strikes killed Hossein Salami, head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and damaged dozens of military and nuclear sites|Mahmoud Rahimi|CC BY 4.0
Israel launched a sweeping attack on Iran’s nuclear sites and military leadership early Friday, killing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami in Tehran.
The operation involved 200 fighter jets that struck over 30 targets across Iran. In retaliation, Iran launched 100 drones toward Israeli territory.
An Israeli official said the military has begun intercepting Iranian drones outside Israel’s borders to prevent further escalation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed the operation would last “as many days as it takes,” while Iran’s Supreme Leader warned of “severe punishment.”
The assault came just days before renewed US-Iran nuclear talks. Iran has refused America’s demands to stop enriching uranium.
The US denied involvement but moved some personnel from the region.
Oil prices surged, while US stock futures tumbled amid growing regional instability. The strike has pushed the region into a volatile new phase.