When and Where Did the Strikes Happen?
Israel began the strikes at 3:30 a.m. local time on Friday. Loud explosions shook several Iranian cities, including Natanz, home to a major uranium enrichment facility. Other strikes targeted ballistic missile factories, military bases, and command centers.
Who Was Killed?
Iran confirmed the deaths of several high-ranking officials and nuclear scientists. Among them:
•Hossein Salami, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
•Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces
•Gholam Ali Rashid, Head of the Khatam al-Anbiya military base
•Mehdi Tehranchi, nuclear physicist
•Fereydoon Abbasi, former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization
•Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, nuclear engineering professor
Israeli officials said more than 10 nuclear scientists were assassinated and over 300 sites were struck.
Civilian Casualties
Iran’s official news agency reported at least 12 civilian deaths in Tehran. Another 50 civilians were injured, including 35 women and children, during Israeli strikes on the Nobonyad district in northern Tehran.
What Did Israel Say?
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the attack as a success.
“We carried out a very successful opening strike. With God’s help, more will follow,” he said in a video statement.
The Israeli army described the attack as the start of a longer campaign to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
What Was Iran’s Response?
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed harsh retaliation.
“Israel has brought upon itself a bitter and painful fate,” he declared.
Iran’s military said air battles were ongoing and promised to reveal the results soon. The army and IRGC are now on full alert.
Did the US Participate?
The US government claims that it did not participate in the offensive.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington was not involved. He confirmed that Israel had notified the US but acted 'independently'. However, Iran stressed that the US backed the assault and held it responsible for its consequences.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the strikes could not have happened without US coordination or approval.
What Happens to the Nuclear Talks?
The Israeli strikes came just two days before US–Iran nuclear talks were scheduled to take place in Muscat, Oman. The meeting is now likely canceled or postponed.
US President Donald Trump, who re-entered the White House in 2024, had been racing to broker a deal with Iran amid Israeli statements about plans to attack Iran. He had warned Israel not to strike during the talks but appeared uncertain about the impact, saying:
“It might ruin the deal… or maybe not.”
What’s the Political Context in Israel?
The strike came just hours after Netanyahu narrowly survived a no-confidence vote in the Israeli Knesset. The opposition failed to dissolve the government by only two votes.
Analysts believe the timing may have political motives, as Netanyahu faces increasing pressure at home.
What’s Next?
Tensions are at their highest in years. Iran has vowed revenge. Israel remains on high alert. The US has evacuated diplomats from Iraq and pulled military families from several locations in the Middle East, preparing for potential escalation.
The possibility of a full-blown US-backed war between two of the region’s most powerful militaries is now dangerously close.
