Tensions between Israel and Iran reached unprecedented levels on Friday, as both nations launched aerial strikes targeting each other’s military and nuclear infrastructure, plunging the Middle East into a dangerous new phase of conflict.
Israel Launches Massive Overnight Airstrikes on Iran
In a dramatic escalation, Israel carried out coordinated airstrikes across multiple sites in Iran overnight on Friday. The strikes reportedly targeted key components of Iran’s nuclear programme, including facilities in Fordow and Isfahan, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Israel also targeted high-ranking military personnel. Among the dead were Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Emergency Forces Commander Gholam Rashid, and at least six senior nuclear scientists.
According to Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon, the operation was a response to intelligence suggesting that Iran had acquired sufficient enriched uranium for multiple nuclear weapons and was planning an imminent attack on Israeli territory. “We won’t sit quietly while our people are targeted,” Danon said, defending the offensive as a necessary act of national defense.
Iran Responds with Missile Barrage: ‘True Promise 3’
In retaliation, Iran launched hundreds of rockets and drones at Israel throughout Friday evening, in what Tehran dubbed Operation True Promise 3. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), roughly 100 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and dozens of missiles were fired.
Most were intercepted, but a limited number reached Israeli territory, causing injuries and property damage.
Air raid sirens wailed across cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Explosions and smoke plumes were reported, and five people were injured in the Tel Aviv area, with Israeli TV showing damage to buildings and vehicles from either Iranian missiles or Israeli interceptor debris. Residents were ordered to shelters, but later permitted to leave as the situation stabilized.
Israel Strikes Again in Tabriz, Shiraz
Following Iran’s response, Israeli jets struck further targets in Tabriz and Shiraz, intensifying the conflict. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the Israeli actions, calling them a “crime” and vowing retaliation. “The Zionist regime will not escape unscathed,” he declared in a televised address.
Iran’s newly appointed IRGC Commander Mohammad Pakpour, replacing the slain Salami, warned Israel of an imminent and overwhelming response, saying the “gates of hell” would open upon the “child-killing regime.”
Targets of Strategic Importance
The Israeli offensive focused on nuclear sites and military leadership. Two key nuclear facilities were struck:
- Isfahan: Iran’s largest nuclear research centre, home to several Chinese research reactors and thousands of scientists. While not hit in the initial strike, it was targeted later.
- Fordow: Built into a mountainside 100 km southwest of Tehran, this heavily fortified uranium enrichment facility is located 80 metres underground and is believed to be the main site for producing near-weapons-grade uranium.
The Bushehr nuclear power plant, Iran’s only commercial facility fueled by Russian-supplied uranium, was not hit, likely due to its civilian nature and IAEA oversight.
Military experts believe a successful strike on Fordow would require bunker-busting munitions like the U.S.-developed Massive Ordnance Penetrator. While Israel has previously sought such weapons, it’s unclear whether they were used in Friday’s attacks.
UN, Global Reactions, and Denials
The UN Security Council convened an emergency session to discuss the crisis. Rafael Grossi, Director-General of the IAEA, confirmed that Tehran had reported damage at Fordow and Isfahan, though full details were pending.
Meanwhile, the U.S., represented by former President Donald Trump, denied involvement in Israel’s operation but confirmed that Iran had been issued a 60-day ultimatum to agree to a new nuclear deal—an offer Tehran ignored.
Azerbaijan was also pulled into the fray, with social media claiming it had deployed ethnic Azerbaijanis to assist Israel inside Iran. Baku strongly denied the accusations, calling them baseless disinformation.
Civilian Impact and Current Situation
The Israeli Home Front Command, after reviewing the threat, permitted civilians to exit protected shelters but urged caution. Damage was concentrated in Tel Aviv, where emergency services responded to at least seven impact sites. Casualty estimates vary, with reports of 5 to 15 injuries and widespread structural damage.
Despite this, Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant insisted Iran had crossed a “red line” by targeting civilian zones, vowing continued retaliation. “We will ensure the Ayatollah regime pays a heavy price,” he said.
Tensions at a Boiling Point
Friday’s dramatic escalation has pushed Israel and Iran closer to open warfare, with high-stakes military engagements centered on nuclear capabilities. The deaths of senior Iranian officials and scientists, combined with Israel’s direct targeting of key nuclear infrastructure, suggest a significant shift in Israeli strategy—from deterrence to direct pre-emptive strikes.
Iran’s military and political leadership now face internal pressure to respond decisively. With both sides digging in and international diplomacy failing to keep pace, the situation remains volatile, raising fears of a broader regional war.
