Share and Follow
THE Middle East stands on the brink of all-out war after Israel unleashed a massive wave of missile strikes on Iran.
Israeli forces targeted Tehran’s nuclear facilities and killed top military & scientific figures in a lightning offensive dubbed Operation Rising Lion.
Israel appears to have defied urges for restraint – including from US President Donald Trump – and said they were responding to the imminent danger that Tehran would obtain a nuclear weapon.
In a ferocious show of force, around 200 Israeli fighter jets roared across Iranian skies early Friday.
The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said they used 330 munitions on 100 targets, including uranium enrichment plants and key command centres.
Major strikes have taken place on Iran’s military bases, the homes of top officials and nuclear sites such as the uranium enrichment base at Natanz .
And the heads of Iran’s armed forces – Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami and Iranian chief of state Mohammad Bagheri – have both been killed.
At least two nuclear scientists – Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad – have also been killed, says Iranian state TV.
The Israeli military called the blitz a “pre-emptive, precise, combined offensive based on high-quality intelligence” and confirmed it had struck nuclear and missile sites across the country.
The IDF said in a statement: “Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.”
Iran has vowed “severe punishment”, calling the strikes a “cowardly” act of aggression as fears mount of a devastating counterstrike.
In a fiery statement, Tehran said the assault “shows why Iran insists on enrichment, nuclear technology, and missile power,” framing the attack as proof of its need for deterrence.
A “special state of emergency” is now in effect in Israel.
Air raid sirens blared across the country in the early hours, with residents jolted awake by alerts warning of an imminent missile and drone attack.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the assault vital to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival”, vowing the campaign would last “as many days as it takes to remove the threat.”
He accused Tehran of advancing toward a nuclear weapon, claiming Iran had enriched enough uranium for “nine atom bombs.”
“In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before – steps to weaponize this enriched uranium,” Netanyahu said.
“This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival.”
Explosions rocked military sites northeast of Tehran, including the Mahalati complex.
Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami, top nuclear scientist Fereydoun Abbasi, theoretical physicist Dr Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi, and Major General Gholam Ali Rashid were among those killed.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of targeting residential areas, saying: “In the enemy’s attacks, a number of commanders and scientists were martyred.
“Their successors and colleagues will immediately continue their duties.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the Natanz nuclear facility was struck and said it was in contact with Iranian officials regarding radiation concerns.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted Washington was not involved, though he said “necessary steps” were being taken to protect American personnel in the region.
“Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel,” Rubio warned.
He backed Israel’s right to self-defence, saying it “believes the strikes are necessary.”
Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun’s live blog
-
Scenes of destruction in Tehran early on Friday
Credit: AFP 
Credit: AFP 
Credit: AFP -
Scenes of destruction in Tehran early on Friday
Credit: AFP Credit: AFP Credit: AFP -
200 Israeli jets hit 100 Iranian targets in massive strike
In its ferocious aerial assault, Israel used 200 fighter jets to pound 100 strategic targets across Iran.
So far, 330 munitions have been dropped in the operation, which has focused on eliminating senior Iranian officials and taking out high-value nuclear and missile infrastructure.
Among the targets hit were nuclear facilities, missile bases, and key command centres in what Israel has described as a precision offensive aimed at crippling Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities.
-
IDF statement on Israeli strike
-
Netanyahu: Operation Rising Lion will continue ‘as many days as it takes’
Benjamin Netanyahu has called Operation Rising Lion a decisive move to neutralise the Iranian threat, vowing the strikes will not stop until the job is done.
The Israeli PM said: “Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.”
He made it clear the campaign will be sustained and uncompromising.
“This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat,” he declared, signalling that Israel is prepared for a prolonged military engagement.
-
Iran launches drone barrage at Israel
More than 100 Iranian drones were launched toward Israel in direct retaliation for Israel’s massive airstrikes on Tehran.
Brig. Gen. Effie Deffrin, Israel’s chief army spokesman said: “In the last few hours, Iran has launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, and all the defense systems are acting to intercept the threats.”
It follows Israel’s ongoing Operation Rising Lion, which saw 200 Israeli fighter jets strike around 100 targets inside Iran, including nuclear and military sites.
According to Deffrin, the offensive is still in progress.
Jordan’s civil aviation authority announced it has closed its airspace to all flights, joining other regional countries in locking down skies amid fears of being caught in the crossfire.
The Jordan News Agency called it a temporary safety measure, citing “any dangers related to the escalation in the region.”
With drones in the air and warplanes still flying, the Middle East is now bracing for what could become a long and dangerous confrontation.
