Israel has launched a preemptive strike on Iran overnight with massive explosions being reported in Tehran.
An Israeli defense official said that the Iranian military General Staff, including the Iranian Chief of Staff and senior nuclear scientists were targeted in the Israeli strikes. “There is increasing likelihood that they were all eliminated”, the official said
Reports say that Iranian General Hossein Salami, the head of the Revolutionary Guards was killed in the airstrike.
Iranian state TV said residential areas in Tehran were hit and civilians were among those killed.
Iran’s military has promised a “crushing and regret-inducing” response to Israel’s strikes.
In a statement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said
“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.”
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.”
