The Israeli military has launched a series of extensive and coordinated airstrikes across Iran, specifically targeting nuclear facilities and military installations. These strikes, executed in several waves, have resulted in the deaths of key Iranian military officials and prominent nuclear scientists, significantly escalating tensions between the two countries.

The operation was confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a prerecorded video message released early Friday morning. Netanyahu stated that the strikes aimed to damage Iran's nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile production capabilities. He emphasized the strategic necessity of the mission, declaring that the operation would continue for as long as needed to eliminate what he described as an existential threat to Israel. He portrayed the strikes as a defensive measure against the looming risk of annihilation posed by Iran’s nuclear advancements.

The Israeli military officially confirmed the air campaign, code-named "Nation of Lions", to The Times of Israel. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the operation specifically targeted Iran’s nuclear programme to prevent it from progressing further. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir asserted that Iran’s nuclear program had reached a "point of no return," necessitating immediate action. He added that Israel could not afford to delay any further in what he described as a fight for national survival.

An unnamed senior Israeli military official revealed to reporters that the Israeli Air Force had carried out five waves of attacks, involving hundreds of airstrikes across Iran. The strikes were reportedly launched against at least eight key locations, including Tehran (the capital), Natanz (Iran’s primary uranium enrichment site), and Tabriz, where a nuclear research center was struck.

The operation resulted in high-profile casualties. Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces. Two prominent Iranian nuclear scientists, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, were also confirmed killed. In addition to these figures, reports indicated civilian casualties, although the full extent of damage and loss remains unclear.

In the aftermath of the strikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning, telling Israel to prepare for a “bitter and painful fate.” His remarks signal Iran’s intention to retaliate forcefully, potentially leading to further regional destabilization.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes, asserting that Tehran possesses a “legal and legitimate” right to respond under international law. The ministry also implicated the United States, claiming that such a complex operation could not have been carried out without American coordination and approval. Iran vowed to bring international attention to what it perceives as a coordinated act of aggression and promised to hold all responsible parties accountable.

This dramatic escalation marks a serious turning point in Israeli-Iranian tensions and raises significant concerns about broader regional conflict. The international community is expected to closely monitor the situation, as the likelihood of Iranian retaliation could ignite further hostilities across the Middle East.