ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran is preparing a major “ballistic missile response” to Israeli airstrikes that targeted nuclear facilities, key military sites, and multiple densely populated areas early Friday morning, a well-placed source in Tehran told Rudaw English. The Israeli operation dubbed “Rising Lion” reportedly involved five waves of precision airstrikes, marking one of the most significant military confrontations between the two regional powers in recent history. The Israeli military said the strikes were aimed at neutralizing Iran’s advancing nuclear program and associated military infrastructure. The campaign included hundreds of precision-guided strikes across at least eight major locations, including the capital Tehran and critical nuclear sites. Targets and casualties The Iranian capital Tehran bore the brunt of the assault, with strikes reported in two dozen neighborhoods, including Nobonyad Street - a neighborhood known to house members of Iran’s nuclear and defense community - Lavizan, Farahzad, Andarzgou, Amir Abad, Langari Street, and Patrice Lumumba Street. Civilian infrastructure, including apartment buildings and residential towers, was hit. The headquarters of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran was also damaged. The Natanz nuclear research center was bombed in at least two sorties, sustaining severe damage though the United Nations’ nuclear agency said there are no observations of elevated radiation at the site. The Khondab Heavy Water Research Reactor, still under development, was also targeted in addition to another nuclear site in Tabriz. Bombing raids targeted military bases and infrastructure in Parchin east of Tehran, as well as the provinces of Ahvaz, Hamedan, Qom, Qasr-e Shirin, and Tabriz. Air defense sites and radar installations were also reportedly destroyed or disabled. Iranian state media has confirmed the deaths of several senior military leaders and nuclear scientists. Among the fatalities was IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami, chief of staff of the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, and Gholamali Rashid, head of the IRGC’s Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters - the construction arm of IRGC. A well-placed source in Tehran who spoke to Rudaw English on condition of anonymity stated that “Salami and a number of senior Iranian military commanders were holding a preparatory meeting about a military drill for the Iranian joint forces when the Israeli attack began. This led to the killing of Salami and a number of his deputies,” whose names have yet to be confirmed by state media. “Bagheri’s wife and daughter have also been killed,” the source added. The commanders have already been replaced. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei announced that Salami has been replaced by Major General Mohammad Pakpour, and Major General Sayyid Abdolrahim Mousavi has replaced Bagheri. Nour News - the media affiliate of Iran’s top national security body, the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) - reported that Ali Shamkhani, top aide to Khamenei and former head of the SNSC, was “critically injured.” The informed source in Tehran told Rudaw English that Shamkhani has been killed. Shamkhani is one of the key figures overseeing ongoing nuclear negotiations with the United States. The same source said it is likely that the commander of IRGC Aerospace Forces, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, is also among the fatalities. Fereydoun Abbasi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, a prominent physicist involved in Iran’s nuclear program, were also killed, Iranian state media confirmed. In addition to the senior military and nuclear officials, dozens of civilians are also believed to have been killed or injured, especially since the strikes chiefly rocked residential areas. Iranian reactions Senior Iranian leaders have issued strongly worded statements condemning Israel’s airstrikes. In a televised speech, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared the attacks a turning point in the conflict with Israel, which he said had "sealed a bitter and painful destiny for itself." He condemned the strikes as a "crime" executed with an "evil and bloody hand," noting that they targeted civilian neighborhoods. "The Zionist regime should await a harsh punishment and a harsh response," Khamenei said. Khamenei added that the killing of “a number of commanders and scientists” would not halt Iran’s progress, noting that “their successors and colleagues will immediately pick up their work.” “The powerful hand of the Islamic Republic Armed Forces will not let go of Israel,” he concluded. The Iranian Armed Forces pledged a "crushing response." "As per the Leader’s order, the Armed Forces will give a crushing response to Israel that will make the regime regret its aggression,” it said. Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for the Armed Forces, warned that the “Islamic Republic’s response to the attacks will be heavy,” adding that the strikes were “carried out with US support.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry also placed responsibility on Washington, stating the strikes "could not have been carried out without the coordination and approval of the United States," and warned of “grave and far-reaching consequences” stemming from the attack. The ministry condemned the strikes as an “unjust” and “criminal” act by what it labeled the "occupier and rogue Zionist Regime.” It added that the strikes constitute a clear violation of Iran’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty and “will not go unanswered.” Citing the United Nations Charter, the ministry said Iran has the right to self-defense and urged the UN Security Council and Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to take "immediate action" against what it characterized as “a blatant act of aggression” and “a violation of international peace and security.” In a broader diplomatic appeal, Iran urged UN member states - particularly Islamic countries, regional actors, and members of the Non-Aligned Movement not part of any global power bloc - to “swiftly condemn this criminal aggression” and take “urgent and collective measures” to deter further escalation. Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA cited the Interior Ministry urging the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information. “Citizens should rely on official news from national media and avoid hasty actions that cause public anxiety,” the ministry said. The Public Prosecutor’s Office issued a strong warning to social media users and media outlets, stating, “Anyone publishing false content and spreading lies that disturb the psychological security of society will face appropriate legal action.” The Iranian Health Ministry declared “full alert,” with hospitals and emergency medical centers ready to receive and treat casualties. IRNA also reported that the Iranian Crisis Management Headquarters has been activated, with full coordination between emergency services, municipal bodies, police, and the Iranian Red Crescent to manage the situation. The Iranian National Emergency Management Headquarters confirmed the deployment of “134 teams, including 669 relief workers and rescuers, to over 60 affected locations across eight provinces” for search, rescue, and evacuation operations, said IRNA. The Iran Airports and Air Navigation Company announced the suspension of “all flights at all airports nationwide until further notice,” urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and keep away from airport areas. What next? The situation remains tense as the region awaits Iran’s next move in what could become a major regional escalation. The source who said Iran is preparing a “ballistic missile response” said it will come within hours. Previous retaliations by Iran against Israel have taken weeks or months. Iran appears to have launched an unconfirmed number of drones. The Israeli army has begun intercepting Iranian drones “launched from Iran outside the country's borders,” said Avichay Adraee, Arabic spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Jordan also said it intercepted drones and missiles in its airspace, but did not identify where they came from. “The interception operation came in response to military assessments that missiles and drones would inevitably fall in Jordanian territory, including populated areas, which could cause casualties," said the Jordanian Armed Forces. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had earlier in the day described the attacks as “preemptive” and that Israel is bracing for retaliation. Israeli airspace has been shut down and civil defense protocols have been enacted across the country while non-essential businesses, schools, and gatherings have been suspended. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared in a video message released early Friday morning that “this operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation.” The major escalation comes days ahead of a crucial round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US slated for Sunday in Oman. The two countries have been engaging in indirect talks, mediated by Oman, since April 12. This is the most substantial engagement between the two counties since the collapse of the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers seven years ago. A key sticking point in the negotiations has been uranium enrichment. US negotiators are pushing for “zero enrichment” to prevent potential weaponization, but Tehran insists that condition is a nonstarter. It remains to be seen if the Sunday talks will go ahead as planned.
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