Iran hit by fresh round of explosions by Israel as conflict escalates

Benjamin Netanyahu said the “Jewish people refuse to be victims” as Israel targeted sites that could produce nuclear weapons in a “very short time”.

Israel has launched fresh military strikes against Iran in an operation that is expected to last for “several days”.

Several explosions were heard in Tehran and surrounding areas Friday evening local time, Iranian state media reported, more than 12 hours after a massive wave of Israeli attacks on the country.

“There were reports of explosions heard in the west of Tehran province,” in the cities of Shahriar and Malard and around the neighbourhood of Chitgar in Tehran city, state news agency IRNA reported, while Mehr agency reported a blast in Pakdasht southeast of the capital.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the “Jewish people refuse to be the victims of a nuclear Holocaust” as he targeted sites that could produce nuclear weapons in a “very short time”.

Mr Netanyahu reported that Iran had produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs and began making “steps to weaponise” the uranium in recent months.

“If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time,” he said during a video address on Friday local time.

“This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival.”

Earlier on Friday, the IDF said it is now working to intercept 100 retaliation drones which have been sent by Iran to Israel.

“Iran launched approximately 100 UAVs towards Israeli territory, which we are working to intercept,” military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin told journalists on Friday local time.

The first of the Israeli strikes hit about 3am local time with explosions first heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

It was then confirmed, by Israel’s Defence Minister, that the nation had launched a “pre-emptive strike” against the Iranians over their efforts to develop nuclear weapons technology.

The targeted strikes have killed three of Iran’s top military leaders as well as two of the nation’s top nuclear scientists.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes on Iran would continue “until we complete the mission of repelling the threat of annihilation that hovers over our heads”.

“We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history,” said Mr Netanyahu.

“I ask for the co-operation of all of you, citizens of Israel. Close co-operation in the coming hours and days. I ask you to strictly adhere to the Home Front Command’s instructions.”

Lebanese militant group Hezbollah condemned Israel’s wave of strikes on its backer Iran on Friday, warning that they threaten to “ignite the region”.

“This enemy adheres to no logic or laws and knows only the language of killing, fire, and destruction,” Hezbollah said in a statement that condemned the strikes as a “brutal” aggression.

Read on for the latest developments.

Originally published as Iran hit by fresh round of explosions by Israel as conflict escalates