UPD: IDF: All Iranian drones were shot down before reaching Israel.
Israeli intelligence services deployed a covert infrastructure in Iran long before the attack, allowing them to strike military and nuclear sites deep within the country, Ynet reported, citing a source in the security system.
Mossad agents created a base for kamikaze drones in central Iran. On the night of June 13, they were launched at bases with Iranian ballistic missiles. Disguised vehicles, illegally brought into Iran, with mounted weapons were also used. These means completely disabled key elements of Iran's air defense system.
On the night of Friday, Israel launched large-scale strikes on Iran, stating that its targets were nuclear facilities, ballistic missile production plants, and military commanders. According to the IDF, over 200 Air Force fighters, acting on precise intelligence guidance, attacked more than 100 targets across Iran, including shelters of high-ranking Iranian military leaders. Israel called the strikes a preemptive step to prevent Iran from creating nuclear weapons. The operation was named «The People as a Lion» (in Balaam's prophecy about the people of Israel it says: «Behold, the people rise like a lion, and lift themselves up like a lion»)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in an address to the nation, stated that «this operation will continue as long as necessary until we complete the mission of eliminating the threat of destruction hanging over our heads».
So far, five waves of attacks have been conducted. The first attack precisely eliminated the top of the army — the Chief of General Staff, heads of various branches, generals. The second wave — strikes on the air defense system across the country. The third — strikes on nuclear facilities and the precise elimination of chief nuclear scientists. The fourth — strikes on missile facilities. The fifth — deep bombs on nuclear facilities.
Alongside massive airstrikes, Mossad conducted a series of covert sabotage operations on Iranian territory, reports Axios citing a senior Israeli official. The purpose of these operations was to damage Iran's strategic missile facilities and its air defense capabilities.
According to military data, three of the highest-ranking military commanders of the Iranian regime were eliminated: Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps General Hossein Salami, and Head of Emergency Command Hatem-Gholam Ali Rashid.
Iranian state media reported that at least two nuclear scientists, Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were killed as a result of Israeli strikes on Tehran.
An Israeli military official stated that Israel is striking «dozens» of nuclear and military targets, including a facility in Natanz in central Iran. According to him, Iran has enough materials to create 15 nuclear bombs within days. Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, confirmed that Natanz was struck and that his organization is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels at the site.
Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a statement broadcast on state television, said that Israel «should expect severe punishment». A spokesman for the country's armed forces stated that Israel and the United States «will receive a strong slap».
Meanwhile, the US stated that it was not involved in the strikes. «Israel informed us that they believe these actions were necessary for their self-defense», said Secretary of State Marco Rubio, warning Iran of consequences if attacks on American «interests or personnel» begin.
Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes. Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv was closed until further notice, and Israel's air defense units were put on high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran. Chief of Staff of the Israeli Armed Forces Eyal Zamir stated that tens of thousands of soldiers were called up and «prepared in all directions». «We are on the brink of a historic campaign, unlike any other. This is a critically important operation to prevent an existential threat from an enemy intent on destroying us», he said.
Iran launched 100 drones, which are expected to reach Israel in a few hours, and the military also anticipates a missile attack from Iran.
Israeli military stated on Friday that they were forced to act based on new intelligence indicating that Iran is «approaching the point of no return» in developing nuclear weapons. «In recent months, this program has significantly accelerated, bringing the regime much closer to obtaining nuclear weapons», the statement said, without disclosing the alleged evidence.
Crude oil prices surged sharply following the Israeli attack. The price of Brent oil jumped 9% to $78 per barrel.
Photo: AP