Tehran: In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, Israel launched a full-scale aerial assault on Iranian targets in the early hours of Friday, thrusting the Middle East into a state of high alert. The operation, codenamed Rising Lion, was confirmed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a calculated step to counter what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran.
Israeli fighter jets reportedly struck multiple sites in and around Tehran, with residents reporting deafening blasts just before dawn. Though the exact nature of the targets remains undisclosed, regional observers suggest military and nuclear-linked infrastructure may have been the primary focus.
Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the nation shortly after the strikes began, describing the offensive as a “targeted military operation” aimed at dismantling Iran’s growing threat. He declared that Israel would “continue for as many days as it takes” to eliminate any risk of national annihilation.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz supported the Prime Minister’s stance, calling the mission a “preemptive strike” designed to neutralize clear and immediate threats. He also declared a national emergency, triggering enhanced civilian protection measures across Israel.
On the Iranian side, state broadcaster IRIB confirmed multiple explosions in Tehran and surrounding areas, though officials have yet to provide a clear account of the damage or casualties. Iranian authorities remain tight-lipped, even as speculation grows over possible Israeli strikes on strategic defense facilities.
This confrontation follows days of heightened rhetoric. Earlier this week, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council warned it had mapped out Israeli nuclear facilities as potential retaliation targets, should Tehran come under military attack. The warning came after claims that Iranian intelligence had accessed sensitive Israeli security documents, deepening fears of retaliatory warfare.
