In the early hours of Friday morning, Israel launched a wide-ranging military assault targeting nuclear and military sites deep inside Iran, killing several top commanders and scientists. The Islamic Republic’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed that Tel Aviv would face a “bitter and painful fate,” while Washington denied any role in the attack.
This sudden escalation occurred just two days before a scheduled round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States in Muscat, Oman.
Although the full extent of the damage remains unclear, the airstrikes have raised fears of a full-scale war between the region’s two most powerful military forces.
Here are seven critical questions to understand the background and implications of this attack:
1. What Happened in Iran?
Israel launched its assault at 3:30 AM local time (01:00 GMT), targeting nuclear facilities, ballistic missile plants, and senior military officials. The Israeli military described the operation as the start of a prolonged campaign aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Reports from Iranian media and eyewitnesses confirmed explosions at several sites, including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility. In response, Israel declared a state of emergency, preparing for potential Iranian retaliation via drone and missile attacks.
Iran later confirmed the martyrdom of multiple high-ranking figures, including:
-
- Major General Hussein Salami, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
-
- Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces
-
- General Gholam Ali Rashid, head of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command
-
- Nuclear engineering professor Ahmad Reza Zou al-Faghari
-
- Nuclear scientist Mehdi Tehranji
-
- Nuclear expert Fereydoun Abbasi
According to Iranian media, the strike also claimed the lives of at least 12 civilians, including women and children, and wounded 50 others in northern Tehran’s Nobonyad district.
2. Who Was Killed in the Strike?
The Iranian Supreme Leader confirmed that a number of senior military officials and nuclear scientists were martyred. He assured the nation that their successors would immediately resume their duties.
Iranian armed forces reported ongoing aerial confrontations, with further updates to be announced soon. Israeli media, including Channel 12 and Walla News, cited officials claiming the decapitation of Iran’s military leadership, along with the assassination of over 10 nuclear scientists and the destruction of more than 300 strategic targets.
This marks a dangerous new shift in Israeli tactics—no longer relying solely on isolated assassinations, but instead seeking to eliminate large numbers of Iranian leadership in a single strike.
3. Why Did Israel Attack Iran?
Israeli officials labelled the strike as a “preemptive measure”, despite no evidence of an imminent Iranian attack. In its official statement, the Israeli military framed the operation as a response to “Iranian aggression”, and signaled that “more is coming.”
The Israeli army claimed that Iran is operating a secret program to assemble nuclear weapons, and could allegedly produce 15 nuclear bombs within days—a claim made without presenting any verifiable evidence.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to Iran’s nuclear program as an “existential threat to Israel.”
Interestingly, just a day before the attack, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) issued a rebuke accusing Iran of failing to meet its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. Iran condemned the IAEA’s statement as politically motivated and damaging to the agency’s credibility.
4. What Did Israel Say?
Netanyahu hailed the airstrikes as a highly successful “opening blow” in what appears to be a larger military campaign.
In a recorded statement, he said:
“We’ve launched a highly successful opening strike. With God’s help, more will follow.”
He added that the military had struck senior leaders, top scientists, and major nuclear sites involved in Iran’s nuclear development.
5. How Did Iran Respond?
Iran’s Supreme Leader promised swift and severe retribution.
“This Zionist crime has sealed Israel’s fate with bitter and painful consequences. It will not go unanswered,” he declared.
Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson warned that both Israel and the United States would be held accountable.
“The Zionist aggression could not have happened without U.S. approval and coordination,” stated the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
6. Did the United States Participate?
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio denied American involvement:
“The United States did not participate in the strike against Iran. Israel informed us it viewed the action as necessary self-defense.”
He also warned Iran against retaliating against American personnel or interests in the region.
However, in the days leading up to the attack, the U.S. evacuated diplomats from Iraq and allowed the families of U.S. soldiers stationed across the region to return home—clear signals of anticipated escalation.
Interestingly, President Trump had reportedly urged Netanyahu to avoid military escalation during ongoing nuclear talks. In a podcast just hours before the strike, Trump said:
“This could ruin diplomacy… or help it. But it could just as easily ruin it.”
7. What Happens to the Nuclear Talks?
Sunday’s planned sixth round of nuclear negotiations in Muscat between U.S. and Iranian delegations now faces serious uncertainty.
The key sticking point remains whether Iran should be allowed to enrich uranium on its own soil—a right enshrined in international agreements, but one the U.S. and Israel continue to challenge.
Trump, who pulled out of the 2015 Obama-era deal during his first term, has since shown reluctance to become entangled in another Middle East war. Earlier this week, he cast doubt on the talks:
“Their position is unacceptable. They’re stalling. It’s looking less likely by the day.”
Final Thoughts: A Dangerous Threshold Crossed
With this operation, Israel has crossed a dangerous line—not only by targeting critical infrastructure, but by openly assassinating Iranian national leaders and scientists. This is not just a military strike; it is an open declaration of war.
As Iran prepares its response, the region—and the world—stands at the edge of a broader confrontation. And while the Zionist regime may celebrate its short-term gains, the long-term consequences could prove devastating.
The blood spilled may become the fuel of a greater resistance, and the fallout could engulf not just Tel Aviv, but Washington too.
