Israel Launches Major Attack on Iran's Nuclear Sites, Kills Top Military Commanders

Israel launched a significant attack on Iran's capital early Friday, targeting the country's nuclear program and resulting in the deaths of at least two top military commanders. This escalation has raised the specter of an all-out war between the two longstanding adversaries in the Middle East. The strikes appear to be the most substantial attack Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s.

The attack came amidst escalating tensions over Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear program, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warning of "severe punishment" directed at Israel. Hours later, Israel's military reported intercepting Iranian drones launched in retaliation. An Israeli official confirmed that the interceptions were taking place outside of Israeli territory, though details were not provided.

Iraq reported that over 100 Iranian drones had crossed its airspace, and Jordan's air force and defense systems intercepted several missiles and drones that entered its territory. The strikes hit multiple sites in Iran, including the country's main nuclear enrichment facility, where black smoke was visible. Later, Israel reported destroying dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran.

The leader of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, and the chief of staff of Iranian armed forces, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, were confirmed dead by Iranian state television. Other top military officials and scientists were also believed to have been killed, marking a significant blow to Tehran’s governing theocracy and escalating the long-simmering conflict with Israel.

In Washington, the administration cautioned Israel against an attack during ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, stating it had not been involved and warning against any retaliation targeting U.S. interests or personnel. However, the U.S. had pulled some American diplomats from Iraq’s capital and offered voluntary evacuations for the families of U.S. troops in the wider Middle East, suggesting a potential anticipation of an attack.

Israeli leaders described the preemptive assault as a fight for the nation’s survival, necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to pursue the attack for as long as necessary to “remove this threat,” though it remains unclear how close Iran is to achieving nuclear capability or whether an imminent strike was planned.

Israel is believed to have carried out numerous secretive attacks on Iranian soil over the years, primarily targeting Iran’s nuclear program. Over the past year, Israel has also targeted Iran’s air defenses, hitting radar systems and missile manufacturing facilities. Some 200 Israeli aircraft participated in Friday’s operation, hitting about 100 targets, with the attacks ongoing.

In the aftermath, Iran launched more than 100 drones toward Israel, prompting all defense systems to intercept the threats. Israel, Iraq, Iran, and Jordan shut down their airspace to all flights as a precaution. Khamenei issued a statement confirming the deaths of top military officials and scientists, condemning Israel’s actions as a “wicked and blood-stained” crime.

For Netanyahu, the operation serves as a distraction from Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, which has lasted over 20 months. While there is broad consensus in the Israeli public that Iran poses a major threat, public opinion could shift if Iranian reprisals cause heavy casualties or major disruptions. Netanyahu expressed hope that the attacks would trigger the downfall of Iran’s theocracy, urging the Iranian people to rise against their “brutal dictatorship.”

Multiple sites in the Iranian capital were hit, targeting both nuclear and military sites, as well as officials leading Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile arsenal. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that an Israeli strike hit Iran’s uranium enrichment facility at Natanz and is closely monitoring radiation levels. The strike pushed the Israeli military to its limits, requiring the use of aging air-to-air refuelers to get its fighter jets close enough to attack.

Tensions had been growing for weeks ahead of the attacks, with President Donald Trump acknowledging the potential for an attack but also expressing hope for a diplomatic resolution. The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem issued an alert for American government workers and their families to shelter in place. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Israel took unilateral action against Iran, advising the U.S. that the strikes were necessary for its self-defense.

Trump is scheduled to discuss the conflict with top advisers, though it is unclear if he plans to make public remarks. Israel has long been determined to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, a concern highlighted by the International Atomic Energy Agency’s censure of Iran over its refusal to work with inspectors. Iran immediately announced plans to establish a third enrichment site and upgrade its centrifuges.

Despite multiple assessments on Iran’s nuclear capabilities, it is clear that any weapon development would require months and that Iran has so far denied any desire to build nuclear weapons. U.S. intelligence agencies also assess that Iran does not currently have a weapons program. The far-reaching implications of the conflict were evident as Israel’s main airport was closed and benchmark Brent crude spiked on news of the attack, with both Iran and Israel closing their airspace.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of expected missile and drone attacks against Israel and its civilian population, urging the public to follow instructions from authorities to stay in protected areas. As the explosions in Tehran began, Trump was on the White House lawn, mingling with members of Congress, and continued shaking hands and posing for pictures for several minutes. Trump had earlier urged Netanyahu to hold off on any action while negotiations with Iran were ongoing, expressing concern that military action could derail diplomatic efforts.