Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear sites and top commanders raising war fears

In a major escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israel launched a large-scale military operation early Friday, targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and high-ranking military officials. The strikes, described as the most severe Iran has experienced since the Iran-Iraq War of the 1980s, have pushed both nations to the brink of potential full-scale conflict.

The operation, named Operation Rising Lion, involved over 200 fighter jets and more than 100 drones, hitting more than 100 strategic locations across Iran. Among the sites struck was Iran's primary nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, where plumes of black smoke were seen rising. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the operation focused on crippling the heart of Iran's nuclear program and declared that strikes would persist "for as many days as necessary."

Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of several high-ranking officials and scientists. Among the casualties were Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s armed forces. Six nuclear scientists also reportedly died, including Fereydoon Abbasi and other key figures associated with Iran’s atomic energy agency.

Civilian casualties were reported as well, with Iranian outlets stating that residential areas in Tehran had been hit, killing women and children and injuring about 50 people.

While Israel claims the operation was a preemptive measure to stop Iran from reaching a critical stage in its nuclear development, Tehran has vowed "severe punishment." Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of a strong response, heightening concerns of retaliatory action.

Former US President Donald Trump told Fox News that he had prior knowledge of the Israeli strikes but reiterated that the United States was not involved. However, Iranian authorities have accused Washington of complicity, asserting that Israel could not have acted without American coordination.

Global reactions have been swift. Oman, scheduled to host upcoming nuclear talks, criticized the attack as a dangerous provocation. Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s actions, while oil prices spiked by as much as 12% due to fears of broader regional instability.

Flights were grounded at Tehran’s main airport, and Iraq temporarily shut its airspace. Israel has also declared a state of emergency and closed its skies in anticipation of an Iranian response.

US officials, while emphasizing the need to protect American forces, neither endorsed nor condemned the operation. In Washington, the White House stated that Trump would meet with security officials to evaluate the situation, although Democratic leaders such as Senator Jack Reed criticized the move as reckless and destabilizing.

A new round of nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran was scheduled to take place in Oman, but the likelihood of those talks proceeding appears increasingly doubtful amid the current crisis.