Khamenei vows revenge, Iran unleashes 100 drones on Israel: Top updates

The attack comes a day after US President Donald Trump pulled out troops from West Asia and warned of a possible strike by Israel

This report has been updated  Hours after 200 Israeli fighter jets bombed Iran, the latter now retaliated with more than 100 drones targeting multiple Israeli sites. Citing the Israeli military, CNN reports all [aerial] defence arrays have been operating to intercept the threats.

 

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a video message, said, “Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.” 

 

 

Strike follows US troop withdrawal from West Asia

 

The attack comes a day after US President Donald Trump pulled out US troops from the West Asia and warned of a possible strike by Israel. This comes as tensions escalated between the two countries following the increasingly advancing nuclear programme of Tehran.

 

Iran’s Supreme Leader vows severe punishment for Israel

 

Here are the top updates: 

CNN, citing Israel's military reports that Iran has launched more than 100 drones towards Israel's territory. IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said, "All [aerial] defense arrays have been operating to intercept the threats."

   

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has responded to Israel’s strike and warned that the latter will face “a severe punishment” over its attack on Iran, Associated Press reported, citing a statement from the state media. The statement also confirmed that top military officials and scientists had been killed in the attack. Khamenei further added that Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centres.  The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that Israel's strike has hit Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz. In a statement on X, the IAEA's head, Rafael Mariano Grossi, said, " The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran. ... The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country."

Indian Embassy issues advisory for nationals in Iran

 

The Indian Embassy in Iran shared an advisory for all Indian nationals in light of Israel’s strike on Iran. Taking to X, the Embassy wrote, “In view of the current situation in Iran, all Indian nationals & persons of Indian origin in Iran are requested to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassy’s Social Media accounts & observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities”. 

 

IRGC chief Hossein Salami reportedly killed in Israeli strike

 

Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps chief Hossein Salami was killed in the Israeli strike, according to an AFP report. 

 

Israel calls Operation Rising Lion a historic military moment

 

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, called strikes on Iran ‘a defining moment’ in history. Speaking to members of the General Staff Forum before Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” against Iran, Katz said the strike is aimed at thwarting Iran’s capabilities and removing the threat of destruction to Israel.

 

IDF mobilises tens of thousands of troops for continued operations

 

Amid Israel’s strike in Tehran, Israel Defence Force (IDF) has called up ‘tens of thousands of soldiers’, the IDF chief stated, adding that they are being called to prepare for what’s next. Lt Gen Eyal Zamir said, “We have begun this operation because the time has come, we are at the point of no return. We cannot afford to wait for another time to operate; we have no other choice.”