Israel Launches Major Airstrikes on Iran; IRGC Commander, Nuclear Scientists Reportedly Killed
Jerusalem/Tehran, 13th June 2025: In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel launched targeted airstrikes on Iran early Friday morning, marking one of the most significant military confrontations between the two countries in recent history.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation, stating that Israeli fighter jets had attacked key Iranian military targets. “This morning, our air force successfully struck the enemy’s strategic infrastructure. The mission was necessary for our national security,” Katz said.
According to reports by The New York Times, at least six military installations around Tehran were hit. Iranian state media confirmed that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Major General Hussein Salami, a top military leader overseeing Iran’s ballistic missile program, was killed in the attack.
The strikes also reportedly killed two prominent Iranian nuclear scientists—Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi—according to Al Jazeera. Israeli sources claim Iran’s Army Chief Mohammad Bagheri and several senior nuclear experts were among those also killed.
In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the action, framing it as a preemptive strike against a growing threat.
“Iran possesses the capability to cause immense harm. If we do not act now, future generations will pay the price,” Netanyahu said. “Let me be clear—we are not at war with the Iranian people. Our battle is against the regime that endangers global peace and sponsors terrorism.”
Netanyahu called on Israeli citizens to cooperate with authorities in the coming days, describing the situation as a “decisive moment.” He added, “Today marks a turning point—a step toward victory of light over darkness.”
Civilian Casualties Reported in Tehran
Iranian media outlets reported that some residential areas in Tehran were also affected, leading to civilian casualties, including women and children. The extent of the damage is still being assessed.
State-run IRNA quoted a senior Iranian official saying, “Iran will respond decisively to this unprovoked act of aggression.”
Following the strikes, Israel imposed emergency measures nationwide. The Israeli military announced school closures, a ban on public gatherings, and the shutdown of all non-essential offices. In Jerusalem, over 100 civilians reportedly took shelter in underground parking lots amid air raid sirens.
Background: The Longstanding Nuclear Tensions
The strike is being viewed as a direct response to long-standing concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Israel and the United States have repeatedly warned that Iran’s nuclear program could pose a severe threat if it leads to the development of atomic weapons.
While Iran insists its nuclear efforts are for civilian purposes—like electricity and medical research—Western powers remain skeptical.
The 2015 nuclear agreement (JCPOA), which temporarily curtailed Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for lifting sanctions, fell apart in 2018 when then U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the deal. Following renewed sanctions, Iran resumed uranium enrichment beyond agreed limits, intensifying regional fears.
Friday’s events mark a dangerous new phase in the Israel-Iran standoff, with potential global implications. The international community is closely watching for Iran’s response and any further escalation that could destabilize the region further.
