Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iran were “very successful,” marking the beginning of what he warned would be a prolonged military campaign. In a video statement released Friday, Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces struck high-level military and nuclear targets within Iran, in a move he described as the “opening salvos” of a broader operation against the Islamic republic.
“We carried out a very successful opening strike, and with God’s help, we will achieve much more,” said Netanyahu, asserting that Israeli forces had eliminated senior Iranian military officials and scientists involved in Iran’s nuclear program. “We have hit the senior command, we have hit senior scientists who are promoting the development of atomic bombs, we have hit nuclear facilities,” he said.
Iranian state media reported the deaths of some of the country’s most influential military leaders in the attacks. State television confirmed the killing of General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s armed forces chief, while the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported that Hossein Salami, commander of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was also killed.
The strikes represent a significant escalation in the already tense relationship between the two nations. Earlier in the day, Netanyahu had hinted that the Israeli offensive would not be a one-off operation. “The campaign will continue for many days,” he told reporters.
This latest development adds to a growing list of flashpoints between Israel and Iran, two regional rivals deeply divided over nuclear proliferation, proxy conflicts, and ideological differences. Israel has long accused Iran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of a civilian energy program, a charge Tehran denies.
The international community is watching the situation with mounting concern, as the death of senior Iranian figures and attacks on nuclear sites risk further inflaming the Middle East. It remains unclear how Iran will respond, but analysts warn that retaliation could come in the form of cyberattacks, proxy force action, or direct military engagement.
As tensions rise, Netanyahu’s message is clear: Israel is prepared for a sustained and aggressive confrontation to halt what it sees as an existential threat from Iran.
