Israel Attacks Iran, Killing at Least 2 Military Officers

By The Associated Press

Israel launched a wave of strikes across Iran on Friday that targeted its nuclear program and military sites, killing at least two top military officers and raising the prospect of an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries.

It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday Israel will face “severe punishment,” as state-run IRNA news agency confirmed top military officials and scientists had been killed in the attack.

An Israeli military official said that the Israeli Air Force targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites, without identifying them. The official spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing operation.

Air-raid sirens preventatively rang out in Israel.

The attack comes as tensions reached new heights over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program. The Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency for the first time in 20 years on Thursday censured Iran over it not working with its inspectors. Iran immediately announced it would establish a third enrichment site in the country and swap out some centrifuges for more advanced ones.

Israel for years has warned it will not allow Iran to build a nuclear weapon, something Tehran insists it doesn’t want — though officials there have repeatedly warned it could.

Here’s the latest:

Israeli officials say they smuggled weapons into Iran ahead of strikes

Israeli security officials say the country’s Mossad spy agency smuggled weapons into Iran ahead of Friday’s strikes that were used to target its defenses from within.

Two security officials spoke on condition of anonymity on Friday to discuss the highly secretive missions. It was not possible to independently confirm their claims. There was no official comment.

The officials said a base for launching explosive drones was established inside Iran and that the drones were activated during Friday’s attack to target missile launchers at an Iranian base near Tehran.

They said Israel had also smuggled precision weapons into central Iran and positioned them near surface-to-air missile systems. They said it also deployed strike systems on vehicles. Both were activated as the strikes began, in order to target Iran’s defenses, the officials said.

By Josef Federman and Julia Frankel

Italy urges Israel to avoid escalation

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said he has urged Israel’s foreign minister in a call to avoid escalation. He added that he would make the same request to Iran’s foreign minister when they speak later Friday.

“I will insist on support for diplomacy,’’ Tajani told SKY TG24. “Our diplomatic action with Israel and with Iran is to avoid an escalation. It is a political commitment.”

Tajani called for “proportionality, calm and prudence,” as well as the urgent resumption of talks to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem is closed to the public

With gates to the Al-Aqsa mosque closed by Israeli police, only the guards and employees of the holy site will be present for traditional Friday prayers, the site’s custodian said Friday.

The mosque is the third holiest site for Muslims, and is located on the holiest site for Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount.

The Waqf, the Islamic endowment which administers the site, said Israel has banned public gatherings. The call to prayer will sound as usual.

Iraq calls on UN Security Council to ‘deter this aggression’

The Iraqi government in a statement called Israel’s attacks on neighboring Iran “a flagrant violation of the fundamental principles of international law and the Charter of the United Nations” and a “threat to international peace and security, especially as it occurred during the period of US-Iranian negotiations.”

It called for the UN Security Council to convene immediately to take “decisive and concrete measures to deter this aggression, ensure its non-recurrence, and restore the prestige of the international legal system.”

Baghdad, which has close ties with both the U.S. and Iran, has attempted to maintain a difficult balancing act between the two.

There was no immediate statement from Iraq’s multiple powerful Iran-backed militias.
Iran says nuclear enrichment facility was damaged

Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization said in a statement that parts of the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility were damaged during the Israeli strikes but that no nuclear radiation or chemical contamination has occurred.

NATO chief calls on US, other Israeli allies to press for de-escalation

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte called on Israel’s Western backers to press for an end to the strikes.

“This was a unilateral action by Israel. So I think it is crucial for many allies, including the United States, to work as we speak to de-escalate,” Rutte told reporters in Stockholm after talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Asked whether a nuclear clash might be imminent in the region, Rutte said: “No, we are not close.”

Kristersson echoed Rutte’s call, noting “the risk for spreading problems around the world.”

Israel’s defense minister threatens further attacks against Iran

In a statement soon after Israel’s military said it had completed the attack on Iran, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military would “continue its activities to thwart the Iranian nuclear program and remove threats on the State of Israel.

“The precise hit on the heads of the commanders of the Revolutionary Guards, the Iranian army and the nuclear scientists, who were all involved in promoting the plan to destroy Israel, is a strong and clear message — those who work to destroy Israel will be eliminated.”

Israeli military says widespread attack on Iranian air defenses complete

The Israeli military says it has completed a widespread attack on air defenses in western Iran.

It said Friday that it had destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers.
German chancellor had call with Netanyahu Friday

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on both sides to “refrain from steps that could lead to a further escalation and destabilize the whole region.”

Merz, who said Netanyahu informed him about the military operation in a phone call Friday morning, said in a statement that Germany is ready to use “all available diplomatic means” to exert influence on the parties to the conflict.

He said that “the aim must remain that Iran not develop any nuclear weapons.”

The German leader emphasized Israel’s “right to protect its existence and the security of its citizens.”

He said that security authorities in Germany will increase protection for Jewish and Israeli facilities.

Pakistan PM calls attacks ‘highly irresponsible’

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called Israel’s attacks a “grave and highly irresponsible” act that risked further destabilizing an already volatile region.

He urged the international community to prevent any escalation that could imperil regional and global peace.

“I convey my deepest sympathies to the Iranian people on the loss of lives in this attack,” Sharif said on X.

Pakistan has no diplomatic relations with Israel.
Malaysian leader says Israeli strikes aim to sabotage US-Iran talks

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim condemned “in the strongest possible terms” the Israeli military strikes in Iran, saying it was clearly aimed at sabotaging ongoing talks between the U.S. and Iran.

Anwar said the attacks also came amid renewed scrutiny of Israel’s conduct in Gaza and mounting political pressure on Benjamin Netanyahu.

“Malaysia calls on Israel’s partners – especially those with influence and leverage – to apply maximum pressure to halt further aggression,” Anwar said in a statement.

Hamas condemns Israel’s strikes on Iran

The Palestinian group said Friday that the strikes “form a dangerous escalation” that could lead to a regional war.

Hamas added that the strikes reflect the Israeli government’s intention to pull the region into an open war.

Jordanian state media says country intercepting missiles and drones

Jordanian state media said the country’s Air Force is intercepting missiles and drones in its air space.

The state news agency quoted an unnamed senior military official as saying that the interceptions were carried out based on military assessments indicating that the missiles and drones were likely to fall within Jordanian territory, including populated areas, posing a potential threat to civilian safety.

The official added that the Jordan Armed Forces are operating “around the clock to defend the country’s borders by land, sea, and air and will not allow any violation of Jordanian airspace under any circumstances.”

Qatar says Israeli strikes violate international law

Qatar, which has served as a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas war, joined other Gulf Arab states in admonishing Friday’s Israeli strikes on Iran.

Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attack as a “clear violation” of international law and called for restraint.

It added that Israel had violated Iran’s sovereignty and security.
Iranian drones tracked crossing Iraq’s airspace

Two Iraqi security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation, said that more than 100 drones launched from Iran toward Israel were tracked crossing Iraqi airspace.

Residents of Iraq’s Diyala province, which borders Iran, reported hearing the sound of aircraft and explosions from strikes inside Iranian territory early Friday.

Some later said they saw drones launched from Iran heading toward Israel.

Israel says it is intercepting Iranian drones

Israel’s military says it has begun intercepting Iranian drones.

Earlier, the military said Iran had launched more than 100 drones at Israel in retaliation for strikes on Tehran and other cities.

An Israeli official said the interceptions are taking place outside of Israeli territory, but did not elaborate.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity pending a formal announcement.
IAEA says Isfahan nuclear site not impacted

The IAEA says Iran’s nuclear site at Isfahan had not been impacted by the Israeli attacks.

The UN nuclear agency also said Iran’s underground enrichment site at Fordo “has not been impacted.”

Earlier, the agency had said Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant, on the Persian Gulf coast, “has not been targeted.”

UK’s Starmer voices concern on strikes

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was concerned about the strikes and was working with Mideast partners to de-escalate the situation.

“We urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region,” he said.

“Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy.”

UAE calls for ‘self-restraint and judgment’

The United Arab Emirates on Friday condemned “in the strongest terms” Israeli strikes on Iran, urging diplomacy.

The UAE is one of only a handful of Arab countries to recognize Israel, after it signed onto the Abraham Accords in 2020.

The ministry of foreign affairs for the federation of seven sheikhdoms “stressed the importance of exercising the utmost self-restraint and judgment” and urged against the conflict’s expansion.

China urges its citizens in Iran and Israel to take precautions

The Chinese embassy in Israel warned its citizens on Friday to take safety measures, saying the Israeli strikes were “significantly escalating the tensions.”

The Chinese embassy in Iran, meanwhile, also cautioned citizens and companies based there to stay alert.

It asked its citizens in Iran to avoid crowds and sensitive places.

“Citizens are advised to prepare for potential attacks involving missiles, rockets, drones, or other threats, and to take comprehensive safety measures,” the Chinese embassy in Israel said.

Jordanian forces on alert

Jordan’s army said Friday that its forces were on alert to confront any threat.

A military official said all units were at the highest levels of readiness and it was closely monitoring the developments.

Jordan’s minister of state communications and government spokesperson, Dr. Mohammad al-Momani, said that the country will not allow its airspace to be violated and it will not be a “battleground for any conflict.”

India urges Israel and Iran not to escalate tensions

Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday urged both Israel and Iran “to avoid any escalatory steps,” saying India has “close and friendly” relations with the two nations.

India, he added, urges “dialogue and diplomacy” and is “closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites.”

He said India “stands ready to extend all possible support.”
US embassy in Bahrain warns personnel to ‘exercise increased caution’

The U.S. embassy in Manama, Bahrain, advised its personnel on Friday to “exercise increased caution” and “limit non-essential travel around the country,” after Israel’s early morning strikes on Iran.

“We recommend American citizens in Bahrain to do the same, and stand by for further instructions as we assess the situation,” the embassy added in a security alert.

Bahrain is home to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.

100 drones launched at Israel, military says

Brig. Gen. Effie Deffrin, the chief Israeli army spokesman: “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.”

Turkish official condemns Israeli attack

A top Turkish official condemned Israel’s strikes on Iran, describing them as “barbaric” and unjustifiable aggression.

Omer Celik, the spokesman for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s governing party also maintained that the action was a diversion tactic, aimed at shifting attention away from international criticism of its actions in Gaza.

“There can be no legitimacy or justification for the Israeli attack. This is barbaric aggression,” Celik said on a X post.

Celik went on to accuse Israel of “hostility” toward diplomatic efforts, noting that the attack took place amid ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran.

Israel says some 200 fighter jets involved in strikes

Israeli military spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Deffrin said that some 200 Israeli fighter jets participated in the operation, striking some 100 targets.

He said the attacks were continuing.

Jordan closes its airspace after Israeli strikes on Iran

Jordan has closed its airspace following Israel’s strikes on Iran early Friday.

Iran, Israel and Iraq have also closed their airspace.

Jordan’s civil aviation authority says the airspace will be closed for all flights over the country.

Jordan News Agency said the temporary measure is out of concern for any dangers related to the escalation in the region.
100 drones launched at Israel, military says

Brig. Gen. Effie Deffrin, the chief Israeli army spokesman: “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.”

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli strikes on Iran

Saudi Arabia on Friday reprimanded Israel for its strikes on Iran, despite long-running tensions between the kingdom and the Islamic Republic.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms,” the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Iranian chief of staff killed in Israeli strike

An Israeli airstrike killed Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, Iranian state television reported Friday.

Bagheri is a former top commander within Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.

The state TV report offered no further details.

Multiple military officials and scientists have been killed in the Israeli attack Friday on sites across Iran.

Iran’s supreme leader threatens ‘severe punishment’

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday that Israel will face “severe punishment” over its attack on the country.

Khamenei issued a statement carried by the state-run IRNA news agency. It also confirmed that top military officials and scientists had been killed in the attack.

Israel “opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to commit a crime against our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers,” Khamenei said.

Strikes come days before Iran, US were to hold talks in Oman

Israel’s strikes come days before a sixth round of talks were planned between Iran and the US over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program this Sunday in Oman.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s new administration has been seeking a deal that would halt Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

It wasn’t immediately clear how the strikes would affect plans for the talks.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally in striking Iran, but Friday morning, Iranian state television aired footage of people chanting “Death to Israel” and “Death to America.”

Strikes pushed Israeli Air Force to its limits

The strike on Iran pushed the Israeli military to its limits, using its aging air-to-air refuelers to get its fighter jets close enough to attack.

It wasn’t immediately clear if Israeli jets entered Iranian airspace or just fired so-called “standoff missiles” over another country. Israel has previously attacked Iran from over the border in Iraq.

People in Iraq heard fighter jets overhead at the time of the attack.

People in Iran’s capital again hear explosions across the city

People in Iran’s capital, Tehran, heard another round of explosions Friday morning after an initial Israeli attack.

It wasn’t immediately clear if it was air defense systems going off or another attack.

Iranian state TV confirms head of paramilitary Revolutionary Guard killed

Iranian state television has confirmed the head of country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, was killed in an Israeli strike.

An anchor read a statement saying: “The news of assassination and martyrdom of Gen. Hossein Salami was confirmed.”

The anchor did not elaborate.

The Gua

rd is a major power center within Iran’s theocracy, with vast business interests and oversees the nation’s ballistic missile arsenal.
Israel’s UN ambassador urges world body to stand by Israel

Israel’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, says Israel launched Operation “Rising Lion” against Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure with the aim of eliminating an existential and immediate threat to the citizens of Israel and the entire world.

The Iranian regime is blatantly violating international agreements, advancing towards nuclear weapons, and operating a regional terror network, he said.

Speaking to the UN Secretary-General and members of the Security Council, Danon said: “This is a moment to make moral decisions. Stand by Israel – or you will be partners in a dangerous silence.”

Benchmark Brent crude prices spike over 8%

Benchmark Brent crude oil prices have spiked by more than 8% over the Israel’s strikes on Iran, which have targeted the country’s nuclear program and raised the potential for an all-war war.

Iran will offer ‘decisive’ response to Israel’s attack

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency is quoting an anonymous official saying Iran will offer a “decisive” response to Israel’s attack.

The report did not elaborate. However, Iranian state television put a black band over the corner of its broadcast, suggesting the attack had been significant enough to spark public mourning.

Black smoke seen over Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility

Black smoke rose Friday over Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz though it wasn’t clear how bad the damage was.

Iranian state television briefly showed the live picture with a reporter.

Natanz is partially above ground, partially below ground, with multiple halls of centrifuges spinning uranium gas for its nuclear program.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said Israel targeted the site in Friday’s attack. Natanz previously has been targeted by the Stuxnet cyberattack and multiple sabotage campaigns likely carried out by Israel.

Netanyahu, other officials decided Monday operation would start today

An Israeli security official says that Netanyahu and other top officials decided on Monday that the operation would start today. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak on the record.

By Josef Federman

Australia and New Zealand condemn strikes

Australia and New Zealand’s governments condemned the Israeli strikes on Friday.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said she was “alarmed by the escalation” between Israel and Iran, which she said risked further destabilizing an already volatile region.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the strikes were “a huge concern” for his government and “potentially catastrophic” for the Middle East. “The risk of miscalculation is high,” he said.

The two countries were among five that enacted travel and financial sanctions on two far-right Israeli government ministers Wednesday, accusing them of “inciting extremist violence” against Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Iranian state TV says head of Revolutionary Guard is feared dead

Iranian state television says the head of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, is feared dead after an Israeli attack.

It added that one other top Guard official, as well as two nuclear scientists, were also feared dead. The report offered few other details.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, created after its 1979 Islamic Revolution, is one of the main power centers within the country’s theocracy. It also controls Iran’s arsenal of ballistic missiles, which it has used to attack Israel twice during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

Headquarters of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is ablaze

An Israeli attack on Iran has set the headquarters of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard ablaze, state television reported Friday.

A reporter on air said he was unable to get closer due to the intensity of the fire in Iran’s capital, Tehran.

Multiple sites in the capital had been hit in the attack, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said targeted both sites of and officials leading Iran’s nuclear program and its ballistic missile arsenal.

Netanyahu says Israel struck nuclear and missile sites

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel targeted Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz and the country’s ballistic missile program, as well as top nuclear scientists and officials.

He said Iran was working on a new plan to destroy Israel after its old plan, its circle of proxies, failed. He called it an intolerable threat that must be stopped.

US Sen. Reed calls Israel’s strike ‘a reckless escalation’

U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, called the Israeli strike “a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence.”

“These strikes threaten not only the lives of innocent civilians but the stability of the entire Middle East and the safety of American citizens and forces,” he said. Reed added: “I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control.”

Dozens of commercial flights over Iran as attack begins

Dozens of commercial airliners were in Iranian airspace as the strikes took place, according to flight tracking websites.

More than an hour after the Israeli attack, some were still making their way out of Iranian airspace, but some abruptly altered course to more quickly exit the area.

Many nations’ jets already did not overfly Iran because of regional tensions.

Scope of attack remains unclear

The extent of Israel’s strikes remained unclear early Friday.

Explosions could be heard across Tehran, Iran’s capital city. There were some images circulating of damaged residential buildings.

Iranian state television also was being careful in how they described the assault, suggesting that some areas outside of Tehran that had also been hit.
Netanyahu says strikes respond to threat to Israel’s survival

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an address on YouTube that the country launched “a targeted military operation roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.”

He added that the attacks will continue “for as many days at it takes to remove this threat.”

Israel closes its airspace

Israel closed its airspace in anticipation of Iranian retaliation.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that attacks were expected.

“In the wake of the state of Israel’s preventive attack against Iran, missile and drone attacks against Israel and its civilian population are expected immediately,” he said in a statement.

The statement added that Katz “signed a special order declaring an emergency situation in the home front.”

“It is essential to listen to instructions from the home front command and authorities to stay in protected areas,” it said
Rubio says Israel took ‘unilateral action’

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel took “unilateral action against Iran” and that Israel advised the U.S. that it believed the strikes were necessary for its self-defense, while warning Iran not to target U.S. forces in retaliation.

In a statement, he 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.”

Israeli official says Air Force is targeting nuclear and military sites

An Israeli military official says that his country targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites, without identifying them.

The official spoke to journalists on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing operation.

The Israeli official said Iran poses three threats to state of Israel: First, he alleged that the Iranian government is advancing a “secret program” to develop nuclear weapons. The U.S. intelligence community assesses that Iran is not actively pursuing a nuclear weapon.

Second, the Israeli official said, Iran has thousands of ballistic missiles. Finally, he said Iran has been distributing weapons and arms to proxy groups across the region like Hezbollah and Hamas.

— Josef Federman

Trump on White House lawn as explosions begin

As the explosions in Tehran started, President Donald Trump was on the lawn of the White House mingling with members of Congress. It was unclear if he had been informed but the president continued shaking hands and posing for pictures for several minutes.

Earlier in the day, Trump said an Israeli attack over Iran’s nuclear program was not imminent “but it looks like it’s something that could very well happen.”

The U.S. has been preparing for something to happen, pulling some diplomats from Iraq’s capital and offering voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East.

The White House did not have an immediate comment Thursday night.