In a dramatic escalation of conflict in the Middle East, Israel conducted a series of airstrikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, resulting in significant casualties among Iran’s top military leadership. Early Friday, the strikes killed—according to some reports—at least 20 Iranian military commanders. Among those killed were armed forces chief of staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri and chief of the Revolutionary Guards Hossein Salami. Israeli officials portrayed the operation as essential for national security. They claimed that the strikes constituted a strong message and a final answer to Iran’s destabilizing military actions.
Tensions have since only increased, after Iran herself fired over 100 drones into Israeli airspace. This landscape forms the backdrop for today’s strikes. In response to the airstrikes, Israeli defense systems shot down most of these missiles, thanks in part to its Iron Dome defense system. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized the country’s resolve, stating that operations “will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
Details of the Strikes
Israel’s military operation, named “Operation Rising Lion,” sought to take out Iran’s primary military and nuclear positions throughout the nation. These strikes were called “very successful” on the White House blog by then-U.S. President Donald Trump, legitimizing additional Israeli unilateral actions preventing Iranian threats. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a point that Israel acted alone. He characterized their reaction as critical in light of the clear and present danger that Iran’s nuclear pursuits represent.
Israeli intelligence recently warned that Iran has the capability to get enough fissile material for several nuclear weapons in just days. This very dangerous and alarming assessment, on its face, compelled Israel to move proactively against what they saw as an existential threat.
“Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.” – Benjamin Netanyahu
Regional reports repeatedly emphasize the state of trauma civilians are experiencing. Marziyeh, a resident near a missile impact site, recounted the chaos: “People on my street rushed out of their homes in panic, we were all terrified.”
Global Reactions and Consequences
The early reaction from the international community was one of outrage at Israel’s disproportionate and deeply aggressive military strategy. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the strikes, stating that Israel had initiated a war and warned that “the Zionist regime will not remain unscathed from the consequences of its crime.” He promised in advance that the Iranian payback should be nothing short of light.
“Maybe now they [Iran] will negotiate seriously.” – Donald Trump
Khamenei’s remarks illustrated Iran’s resolve to pursue its controversial nuclear program in the face of international isolation and sanctions. “I will fight and die for our right to a nuclear program. Israel and its ally America cannot take it away from us with these attacks,” declared Ali, an Iranian citizen echoing sentiments shared by many within the country.
Ongoing Military Operations
As the war progresses, Israel does not only fight a war, it needs to deal with the war’s consequences on its own home front. Israeli military forces stated that emergency service squads were dispatched to multiple sites in which projectiles landed. Bibi’s administration continued to make noise about their policy of national security by any means necessary.
Given the current situation, international diplomats are urging both parties to exercise calm and restraint amidst this developing situation to avoid escalation. An unnamed spokesperson emphasized the importance of avoiding broader conflict:
“We specifically call on Iran to exercise restraint in their actions so as not to risk any broader conflict.”
Iran remains defiant. The Histories aspect The country has repeatedly indicated that it will not engage in negotiation until it proves its military strength. Iranian Major General Mohammad Pakpour threatened darkly that “the gates of hell will open” if the attack continued.
