Israel attacks Iran ‘nuclear program’, declares state of emergency
Israel’s attack on Iran killed the country’s powerful Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami, local media reported, as well as another top military man and nuclear scientists. Follow updates.
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Israel has declared a special state of emergency following a pre-emptive strike against Iran.
Loud explosions were heard in the Iranian capital on Friday, Tehran, according to state TV, including in Natanz city where a key nuclear site is located.
The Israel Defence Force confirmed it had launched an aerial campaign against Iran’s nuclear program.
Dozens of targets across Iran related to the nuclear program and other military facilities are being struck by the Israeli Air Force, it said, in an operation dubbed “Nation of Lions.”
The IDF said Iran has enough enriched uranium to build 15 nuclear bombs within days, and it needs to act against this “imminent threat.”
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IRAN MILITARY CHIEFS KILLED
Israel’s attack on Iran killed the country’s powerful Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami, local media reported.
“Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was martyred in the Israeli regime’s attack on the IRGC headquarters,” the local Tasnim news agency reported.
Mehr news agency carried a similar report.
An Israeli security official said the strikes had also “likely eliminated” Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Uranian Armed Forces.
“It is likely that the Iranian chief of staff and senior nuclear scientists were eliminated in the initial strike,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
Iran state TV also announced nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were killed in the Israeli strike.
EXPLOSION AT URANIUM ENRICHMENT SITE
A new explosion was heard Friday morning at a key uranium enrichment site in central Iran, state television reported.
“New explosion heard at Natanz uranium enrichment facility” in Isfahan province, the broadcaster reported, showing thick black smoke rising from the facility.
TRUMP TO CONVENE RARE MEETING WITH SECURITY CHIEFS
US President Donald Trump will attend a National Security Council meeting Friday morning, the White House said.
The schedule forMr Trump, who had yet to comment publicly on the major attack, said the rare meeting of top security chiefs from across the US government would be held at 11am in the White House Situation Room.
ISRAEL AND IRAN AIR SPACE CLOSED
Israeli air space was closed Friday, the country’s transport ministry said in a statement shortly after Israel announced it was conducting strikes on Iran.
“Air space is closed to takeoff and landing until further notice,” the ministry said, as airport authorities asked travellers not to head to the country’s main airport, Ben Gurion.
Iran airspace has also been closed until further notice, according to state TV.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN AMONG THE DEAD
Israeli strikes on residential buildings in the Iranian capital killed a number of civilians including children, Iranian state media said.
“A number of people including women and children were martyred in a residential complex in Tehran,” the official IRNA news agency reported.
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU ADDRESSES THE NATION
In a seven-minute video, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the strikes had begun and would last “as many days as it takes”.
“We are defending the free world from the terrorism and barbarism that Iran fosters and exports across the globe,” he said.
“Many around the world — even if they won’t say so openly — know in their hearts: thanks to your determination and courage, citizens of Israel, and thanks to the bravery of Israel’s fighters, the world will be a safer place.”
He continued: “Hard days lie ahead — but also great days,” says Netanyahu. “What we do today will be etched into the annals of Israel and of all nations as a struggle for the triumph of good over evil, of light over darkness.”
The prime minister also addressed the people of Iran.
“We do not hate you. You are not our enemies. We have a common enemy: a tyrannical regime that tramples you.”
“For nearly fifty years, this regime has robbed you of the chance for a good life,” Mr Netanyahu said.
“I have no doubt that your day of liberation from this tyranny is closer than ever. And when that day comes, Israelis and Iranians will renew the alliance between our two ancient peoples. Together, we will build a future of prosperity, a future of peace, a future of hope.”
‘ALARMED’: PENNY WONG CALLS FOR CALM
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Friday the move “risks further destabilising” the Middle East.
“Australia is alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran,” Senator Wong told reporters.
“This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile.
“We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that would further exacerbate tensions.
“We all understand the need, the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program.
“It represents a threat to international peace and security and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.”
US SAYS ISRAEL ACTED ALONE
Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed Israel acted alone with no involvement from America, warning there should be no retaliatory action on US troops or infrastructure.
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran,” he said.
“We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence.
“President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.
“Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
TRUMP URGED ISRAEL AGAINST IRAN STRIKE
US President Donald Trump earlier had called on Israel not to strike Iran’s nuclear sites, saying a deal remained close if Tehran compromises.
Mr Trump acknowledged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was considering a strike, which he said could spark a “massive conflict” – leading to a US decision to draw down embassy staff in the region.
“We are fairly close to a pretty good agreement,” Mr Trump told reporters.
Asked about his discussions with Mr Netanyahu, Mr Trump said: “I don’t want them going in, because I think it would blow it.”
Mr Trump quickly added: “Might help it actually, but it also could blow it.”
NEW HAMAS LEADER IN GAZA
Hamas has reportedly named a veteran terrorist known as the “Ghost of al-Qassam” as its latest leader in Gaza — after his two predecessors were wiped out by Israel.
Ezzedin al-Haddad, who helped plan the October 7, 2023, attacks, was recently handed control of Hamas’ Gaza operations, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing multiple sources.
He is the group’s third leader in just seven months after Israeli forces eliminated his two predecessors: October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar and then, last month, his brother Mohammed Sinwar, who took the reins after him.
Haddad, 55, previously oversaw the captivity of Israeli hostages and recruitment of Hamas’ fighters.
He got his nickname as the “ghost” of the group’s militant wing because of his low profile, according to the sources.
His appointment comes just weeks after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Mohammed Sinwar’s death in an air strike.
Sinwar’s body was retrieved from an underground tunnel beneath a hospital in southern Gaza earlier this week, the Israeli military said.
“Mohammad Sinwar was responsible for the deaths of countless civilians,” the IDF wrote on X.
“He died the way he lived — underground.”
Haddad, who is an experienced fighter and speaks Hebrew, has a $750,000 bounty on his head, is next on Israel’s target list, according to Defence Minister Israel Katz.
IDF RETRIEVES BODIES OF TWO MORE HOSTAGES
Israeli forces have retrieved the bodies of two hostages from the Gaza Strip.
A military statement said a joint operation by the army and the Shin Bet security agency recovered the bodies of Yair Yaakov and “an additional hostage whose name has not yet been cleared for publication” from the Khan Yunis area of southern Gaza.
Yaakov, a member of Kibbutz Nir Oz, was 59 when he was seized in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attack on Israel and killed the same day.
Yaakov was abducted along with his partner Meirav Tal, as they sheltered in their safe room in Nir Oz.
She was freed on November 28, 2023 during the first truce.
Abducted separately at the home of their mother, Yair’s two children Yagil and Or were also released on November 27 during the first truce.
Nir Oz was one of the communities hit hardest by the attack, with nearly a quarter of its residents killed or taken hostage.
“Along with all the citizens of Israel, my wife and I extend our deepest condolences to the families who have lost their most precious loved ones,” Israel’s PM Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement.
“We will not rest and we will not be silent until all our hostages – the living and the fallen alike – are brought home.”
Before the latest announcement, out of 251 taken hostage during the Hamas attack, 54 were still held in Gaza including 32 the Israeli military said were dead.
The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza says the retaliatory Israeli military offensive has killed at least 55,104 people, the majority civilians. The United Nations considers these figures to be reliable
WHITE HOUSE DODGES QUESTION ON TWO-STATE SOLUTION
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has dodged questions about whether the Trump administration has abandoned support for a two-state solution, after US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee suggested as much.
The two-state solution proposes creating two states on the territory: Israel for the Jewish people and Palestine for the Palestinian people.
Instead, she stressed President Trump’s top priority is ending the war in Gaza and securing the release of hostages.
Mr Trump “views the situation in Israel and Gaza as deeply unfortunate and needing to end,” Leavitt says during a press briefing.
“The president is realistic about the current state of affairs in this region.
“That’s why the president has said that the number one focus and priority of this administration is to release all of the hostages from Gaza and to end this conflict as soon as possible.”
Mr Trump reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to back both a temporary truce and a permanent ceasefire during a call earlier this week — a message echoed in recent White House comments.
But critics warn Israel’s ongoing military campaign lacks a clear endgame and could endanger remaining hostages, accusing Mr Netanyahu of dragging out the war to hold his fragile coalition together.
THUNBERG HITS OUT AFTER ISRAEL DEPORTATION
Activist Greta Thunberg arrived home in Sweden after she was detained alongside 11 other activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid boat.
Israel deported the 22-year-old campaigner on a flight to Sweden via France on Tuesday local time.
Of the 12 activists on board the Madleen, which was carrying food and supplies for Gaza, four including Thunberg agreed to be deported immediately, legal centre Adalah which represents some of the activists said in a statement.
The remaining eight were taken into custody after they refused to leave Israel voluntarily, and brought before a detention review tribunal on Tuesday, the legal group said.
“The state asked the tribunal to keep the activists in custody until their deportation”, they said, adding that under Israeli law, individuals under deportation orders can be held for 72 hours before forcible removal.
Adalah also revealed all of the activists have been banned from Israel for 100 years.
Israeli forces intercepted the boat, operated by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, in international waters on Monday and towed it to the port of Ashdod.
They then transferred them to Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, the foreign ministry said, from where Thunberg flew to France ahead of a scheduled flight to Sweden.
On arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, 22-year-old Thunberg accused Israel of “kidnapping us in international waters and taking us against our will to Israel”.
“This is yet another intentional violation of rights that is added to the list of countless other violations that Israel is committing,” she said.
“We were 12 peaceful volunteers sailing on a civilian ship carrying humanitarian aid on international waters.
“We did not break laws. We did nothing wrong.”
Four French activists who were also aboard the Madleen were set to face an Israeli judge, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.
He had earlier posted on X that five would face court action and only one would depart voluntarily.
Barrot told reporters that French diplomats had met with the six French nationals in Israel, and that French-Palestinian European MP Rima Hassan was among those who refused to leave voluntarily.
The activists, from France, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Sweden, Spain and the Netherlands, aimed to deliver humanitarian aid and break the Israeli blockade on the Palestinian territory.
In what organisers called a “symbolic act”, hundreds of participants in a land convoy crossed the border into Libya from Tunisia with the aim of reaching Gaza, whose entire population the UN has warned is at risk of famine.
– with AFP and NewsWire
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Originally published as Israel attacks Iran ‘nuclear program’, declares state of emergency