Israel’s strikes on Iran on Friday have likely killed members of Iran’s General Staff, including the Chief of Staff and several senior nuclear scientists, an Israeli defence official said.
Barak Ravid from US publication Axios said that the Iranian military General Staff, including the Iranian Chief of Staff and senior nuclear scientists, were all targeted in the Israeli strikes.
“There is increasing likelihood that they were all eliminated”, the official said.
Not long after, Iranian state media confirmed the death of Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami in the Israeli strike.
One other top Guard official, as well as two nuclear scientists, were also feared dead, the reports say.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard is one of the main power centres within the country. It also controls Iran’s arsenal of ballistic missiles, which it has used to attack Israel twice during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.
Fire and smoke were seen at a key site for the Guards in Tehran after the Israeli strikes, state TV reported.
“A fire and smoke is being seen at IRGC General Command Headquarters in Pirouzi Street in the east of Tehran,” state TV said.
Explosion Reported Near Natanz Nuclear Facility
A witness in Nantanz, Iran, told Reuters that multiple explosions were heard near a uranium enrichment facility.
Israel targeted the Nantanz facility, Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement earlier.
The facility at Natanz is estimated to be 80-100 metres deep and experts have warned that it would be difficult for Israel to deal an enduring blow to Iran’s deeply buried nuclear facilities.
Iran Missile, Drone Retaliation Expected In ‘Immediate Timeframe’ – Defence Minister
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has said “following the preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV [drone] attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate timeframe.”
Therefore, and in accordance with his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Katz has now signed a special order, according to which “a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel.”
World Leaders Begin To React
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said that the Israeli air strikes on Iran was a “really unwelcome development” and that the conflict raised serious concerns for the Middle East.
“That region does not need any more military action and the risk associated with that … the last thing the region needs is more instability,” Luxon told reporters.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia was “alarmed by the escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran” amid reports of explosions in Tehran.
Wong said: “This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile. We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that would further exacerbate tensions.
“We all understand the need, the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program, it represents a threat to international peace and security and we urge the parties to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy.”
Iraq Shuts Airspace, Suspends Flights At All Airports -State Media
Iraqi state media has reported that the country’s airspace has been closed and flights at all airports have been suspended.
The U.S State Department said on Wednesday it had ordered the departure of all non-essential personnel from the U.S Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, based on its commitment “to keeping Americans safe, both at home and abroad”.
