Israel launched major airstrikes against Iran in the early hours of Friday, sharply escalating regional tensions and raising fears of a broader conflict between the two long-time rivals.
The Israeli airstrikes follow growing concerns over Tehran’s nuclear programme and its threat to Israeli security.
In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israel had begun a ‘targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival’.
“This operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us,” Netanyahu said, highlighting the seriousness of the move.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the offensive, calling it a ‘preemptive strike’ to eliminate imminent threats.
In light of the escalating situation, Katz declared a special state of emergency across Israel. The move aims to bolster national preparedness and ensure civilian safety during this volatile period.
Meanwhile, Iran’s state media reported loud explosions in parts of Tehran during the early hours. IRIB, the national broadcaster, said the source of the blasts remained unclear. However, speculation is rife that the Israeli airstrikes may have targeted military or nuclear sites.
Earlier this week, Iran’s top security body warned that any attack on the Islamic Republic would trigger immediate retaliation. The Supreme National Security Council stated its forces were prepared to strike Israel’s ‘secret nuclear facilities’ if provoked.
This warning followed claims by Intelligence Minister Esmaeil Khatib that Iran had acquired a ‘significant cache’ of Israeli intelligence documents. According to the council, months of surveillance enabled Iran to identify high-value Israeli targets for potential retaliation.
Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, although it has never officially confirmed or denied this under its policy of strategic ambiguity.
The latest Israeli airstrikes mark a significant escalation in a conflict that continues to threaten wider instability in the region.
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