Tensions between Iran and Israel have surged dramatically following a new series of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory. In the latest escalation, Israel targeted the Natanz nuclear facility and an airbase near Tabriz Airport in East Azerbaijan province, triggering large explosions and fires.
According to Iranian state media, the underground uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, one of Iran’s most sensitive nuclear sites, was struck again. However, Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization stated that most of the damage occurred above ground, with the underground centrifuges used for uranium enrichment remaining intact. “The primary damage was limited to surface-level infrastructure, and no casualties were reported among the underground systems,” said spokesman Behrouz Kamalvandi.
In a separate attack, Israeli warplanes reportedly hit Tabriz Airport, sparking a large fire. Footage released by Mehr News Agency showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the airport premises.
Meanwhile, an earlier Israeli air raid on Tehran has left devastating consequences. Iranian media confirmed that Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and General Hossein Salami, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were killed in the attack. The strike also killed four other senior military officers and six nuclear scientists, including Abdulhamid Manouchehr, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, Amirhossein Faqihi, Motlab Lizada, Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi, and Fereydoon Abbasi.
In total, 78 people were killed, including five civilians, women, children and over 50 others were wounded. Israeli officials claimed the operation targeted more than 100 sites, including nuclear installations, ballistic missile factories, and military command centers. The Israeli Air Force reportedly deployed 200 fighter jets in the mission, while Mossad operatives carried out pre-attack covert missions to install guided weapons near key missile systems.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous crime” and vowed Israel would face a “historic and painful retaliation.” In response to the deaths of top commanders, Khamenei appointed General Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new Army Chief, Mohammad Pakpour as the new IRGC head, and Ali Shadmani as commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters.
Iranian military spokespeople accused the United States of backing the Israeli operation and warned of an imminent and severe response. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly blamed Washington for the attacks, further deepening geopolitical tensions in the region.
The situation remains highly volatile as fears of wider conflict loom across the Middle East.
