In a dramatic escalation of Middle Eastern tensions, Israel launched a major preemptive strike on Iran early Friday morning, targeting a wide array of nuclear and military infrastructure. The move, dubbed "Operation Rising Lion", comes amid months of mounting threats and covert hostilities between the two regional powerhouses.
According to a report by AFP citing Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, the strike aimed to "cripple Iran's nuclear capability before it becomes an irreversible threat to Israel's existence."
Targets and Impact
Multiple Israeli aircraft reportedly crossed into Iranian airspace overnight, striking critical sites including:
The Natanz and Khondab nuclear enrichment facilities
Khorramabad missile bases
Command-and-control centers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
High-profile individuals involved in Iran’s missile and nuclear programs
Preliminary reports from Tehran confirmed multiple explosions across the provinces, triggering nationwide air raid sirens and the activation of Iran’s missile defense systems.
High-Profile Casualties
Unconfirmed Iranian sources and Western intelligence leaks suggest that two of Iran’s most senior military figures, Gen. Hossein Salami (IRGC Commander-in-Chief) and Gen. Mohammad Bagheri (Chief of Staff), may have been killed in the strike. A number of key nuclear scientists are also believed to have perished, dealing a significant blow to Iran's covert weapons program.
Strategic Justification
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation, saying:
The existential threat posed by a nuclear-armed Iran cannot be tolerated. We will do whatever is necessary to secure the future of the Jewish state.
Defense Minister Katz emphasized that Israel acted out of necessity, stating that intelligence indicated Iran was weeks away from achieving weaponization capability.
Iranian Response and Global Reactions
Iran's Supreme National Security Council convened an emergency session following the strikes. While Iran has yet to confirm the extent of the damage, its foreign ministry condemned the attacks as an act of war, promising a "powerful and calculated response".
As of Friday afternoon, the skies over Israel remain tense, with missile defense batteries on high alert. The Israeli Home Front Command has placed the nation under a state of emergency, with schools shut and citizens advised to stay near shelters.
U.S. and International Standpoint
The United States, while not directly involved, has called for "urgent de-escalation", fearing a broader regional war that could engulf Lebanon, Syria, and the Persian Gulf states. European Union leaders, meanwhile, are pushing for an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
Conclusion
With both countries now staring into the abyss of open conflict, the world watches anxiously. Whether this marks the beginning of a limited engagement or spirals into a broader regional war will depend on the actions of the coming hours and days.
Sanatan Varta will continue to provide verified updates as the story develops...