Israel launched a wide scale military strikes against Iran on Friday, targeting nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and senior military commanders in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a “historic campaign” to prevent Tehran from acquiring an atomic weapon.

Dubbed Operation Rising Lion, the offensive involved over 200 Israeli fighter jets striking more than 100 locations across Iran, including the main uranium enrichment site at Natanz. Israel confirmed the deaths of several top Iranian military leaders, including the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and the commander of the Revolutionary Guards.

In response, Iran launched approximately 100 drones towards Israeli territory, which Israeli forces are actively intercepting, according to military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin. Iran also reported strikes on its Revolutionary Guards’ headquarters in Tehran and the deaths of several children in residential areas.

“We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history,” Netanyahu said in a video message, pledging to continue the operation “for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the attacks as a “wicked and bloody” crime, warning Israel would face a “bitter fate.” Iranian state media also reported the deaths of at least two nuclear scientists in the strikes.

The operation caused widespread disruption to regional air traffic, with airlines diverting or cancelling flights over Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan. Israel closed Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport indefinitely, while Iran shut its airspace.

Alongside the air strikes, Israel’s Mossad reportedly conducted covert sabotage missions inside Iran to damage missile sites and air defences, according to a senior Israeli official.

The United States stated it was not involved in the operation, raising concerns about escalating tensions in the volatile Middle East region, a crucial global oil supplier.

Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir confirmed tens of thousands of troops have been mobilised along all borders in preparation for possible further conflict. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar is engaged in a diplomatic “marathon of calls” to update allies worldwide.

This unprecedented military campaign marks a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between Israel and Iran, with the world closely monitoring developments amid fears of broader regional instability.

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