Israel hits Iran nuclear site, kills its military brass, top scientists

Iran was reeling on Friday from waves of Israeli strikes that decapitated its military chain of command and targeted a key nuclear facility, as US President Donald Trump urged Iran to strike a deal curbing its nuclear programme or risk "even more brutal" attacks.Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu described the assault, which was brought about by deploying warplanes and drones smuggled into the country, as a last resort to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, which Israel views as an existential threat. Israel said the strikes were only the start of 'Operation Rising Lion'. The attacks also killed several top Iranian officials and six nuclear scientists and hit Iran's long-range missile facilities and aerial defences.

As evening fell, Iranian media reported explosions on the northern and southern outskirts of Tehran and at Fordo, near the holy city of Qom, a second major nuclear site. Israel's military said it was striking Iranian missile and drone launching sites. Air defences were activated across Tehran and explosions could be heard in Isfahan, with Israel claiming it had struck the nuke site there. Iran said in retaliation "the gates of hell will open".

On Friday night, explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as sirens sounded across Israel following what the country's military spokesman said was the firing of missiles from Iran.Iran's state news agency IRNA said hundreds of ballistic missiles had been launched, shortly after supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised "harsh punishment". There were no immediate reports of casualties.Friday's strikes were the first time Israel successfully hit Iran's nuke facilities, including its main enrichment facility at Natanz, which an Israeli military spokesperson said had suffered "significant damage."20 top Iranian commanders killed in attacks: ReportsLater Friday morning, the Israeli military announced that Iranian forces had fired about 100 drones at Israel, as Netanyahu vowed the fighting would last “as many days as it takes”. The Israeli military said it was working to intercept the Iranian attack, and there were no immediate indications of significant damage caused by the drones.Israel had told the Trump administration the largescale attacks were coming, officials in the US and Israel said.Iran confirmed Mohammad Bagheri, the commander-in-chief of the military and the second-highest commander after the supreme leader, was among those killed, as was Gen. Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of Revolutionary Guard.Ali Shamkhani, a leading politician who was overseeing the nuclear talks with US, was also killed, officials said. Khamenei moved quickly to appoint some replacements, aiming to avoid the appearance of a leadership vacuum.

In all, at least 20 senior commanders were killed, two regional sources said. The head of the Revolutionary Guards aerospace force, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, was also reported to be among them.Residents of Tehran reported hearing huge explosions, and Iranian state television broadcast images of smoke and fire billowing from buildings. Long lines were forming at gas stations and grocery stores. Dozens were killed in Iran and more than 300 others injured, according to unofficial figures cited by the Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard.In a televised message, President Masoud Pezeshkian urged Iranians to stand by their leaders and said a powerful response “will make Israel regret its foolish act”. Iran told the UNSC, due to meet on Friday at Tehran’s request, in a letter that it will respond decisively and proportionally to Israel’s “unlawful” and “cowardly” acts. Iran’s Nournews said 78 people had been killed and 329 injured in Israeli attacks on residential areas in Tehran.