Cliff Notes – Israel attacks Iran

Israel has initiated Operation Rising Lion, conducting extensive airstrikes targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites amidst an escalated threat perception.
Prime Minister Netanyahu articulated that the operation aims to neutralise the Iranian threat, with potential tracking and strategic responses prepared by the Israeli Defence Forces for anticipated retaliation.
The situation has heightened tensions, with US officials reiterating the necessity of Israel’s actions for self-defence while communicating clear warnings to Iran against targeting US interests in the region.

Israel attacks Iran and declares emergency over expected ‘missile and drone’ retaliation

Israel has carried out dozens of airstrikes on Iran and has declared an emergency as it braces for retaliation.

Its military said a “pre-emptive, precise, combined offensive based on high-quality intelligence” had been launched – called Operation Rising Lion.

Israel attacks Iran and declares emergency over expected retaliation

“Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran,” said a statement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel‘s very survival” and would last for “as many days as it takes to remove the threat”.

Iranian state media reported the head of the country’s powerful Revolutionary Guard, Hossein Salami, had been killed.

Mehr News said nuclear scientist Fereydoun Abbasi was also dead, as was theoretical physicist Dr Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi and Major General Gholam Ali Rashid.

State media reported explosions northeast of capital Tehran early on Friday, and said buildings belonging to the armed forces were hit in the Mahalati complex north of the city.

A “special state of emergency” is now in effect in Israel, according to its defence minister, who warned a “missile and drone attack… is expected in the immediate future”.