ISRAEL LAUNCHED LARGE-SCALE STRIKE ON TECHEM, KILLING IRAN'S REVOLUTIONARY GUARDS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
Tehran, Iran - A large-scale strike by Israel on Tehran sparked widespread devastation and loss of life early Friday, as at least six military bases around the city were targeted.
According to reports from Iran's Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA), Major General Hossein Salami, the Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), was "assassinated in an Israeli strike in Tehran". Senior IRGC commander Gholamali Rashid and at least two nuclear officials - Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi - were also confirmed dead.
Eyewitnesses described a ferocious storm of airstrikes, with homes of senior military and political officials targeted at the Iranian government's expense. Israel stated that they aimed for military command centers and missile factories but took care to avoid civilian casualties.
"Homes of senior military and political officials were targeted in Israeli airstrikes in Tehran," a senior Israeli official told Iran International, reassuring that "civilians are not the intended targets."
The aggressive assault has sent shockwaves across the region. A state of emergency was declared under Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said they targeted Iranian scientists working on nuclear bombs and missile programs.
"Israel targeted Iranian scientists working on a nuclear bomb, its ballistic missile program and its Natanz uranium enrichment facility," Netanyahu declared.
"This move would continue for days to deal with the increasing dangers posed by Iran's rapid advancements in its nuclear program."
Tensions between Israel and Iran have intensified amid concerns over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. In recent days, reports stated that the Board of Governors at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) censured Iran for the first time in 20 years after not cooperating with inspectors.
As tensions continue to escalate, leaders on both sides must navigate the increasingly volatile landscape.