Israel said on Friday it launched strikes against Iran and Iranian media said explosions were heard in Tehran as tensions escalated over US efforts to win Iran’s agreement to halt production of material for an atomic bomb.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel struck at the “heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme” and vowed Israel’s operation against Iran to “continue as many days as it takes.”
“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,” Netanyahu said in a video address.
Iran Revolutionary Guard Chief Dead
Iranian state television reported that the head of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, has died in the Israeli attack.
One other top Guard official, as well as two nuclear scientists, were also feared dead, it added.
“Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was martyred in the Israeli regime’s attack on the IRGC headquarters,” Tasnim news agency reported.
US Denies Involvement
Meanwhile, the US denied any involvement in the strike saying Israel took “unilateral action” against Iran. In a statement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.”
“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” the statement added.
Iranian state TV reported fire, smoke billowing from Iran Revolutionary Guards command site in Tehran.
Following the strikes, Israel said it declared a state of emergency in anticipation of a missile and drone strike by Tehran, reported Reuters.
“Following the preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate timeframe,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
