The decades-long tension between Israel and Iran has now taken a horrific form. On Friday night and Saturday morning, Israeli fighter jets and drones attacked several Iranian military and nuclear bases, damaging Tehran’s military command and a nuclear plant near Natanz. In response, Iran fired a barrage of missiles, some of which hit buildings in Tel Aviv, killing at least one woman and injuring dozens of people.
Israel has named its military operation “Rising Lion” and has indicated that it could continue for several days. At the same time, Iran has said that its response is not over yet and it will take full revenge for Israel’s attacks. This confrontation is raising the possibility of a regional war, in which the US and other global powers are likely to be involved.
According to Iran, 78 people have been killed and 329 injured so far in Israeli attacks. On the other hand, Israel has confirmed that 20 people have been injured. On Friday night, Iranian ballistic missiles attacked seven places around Tel Aviv, while sounds of explosions were heard in Tehran on Saturday morning. Iran’s air defense forces retaliated.
The US has provided Israel with military assistance in intercepting some ballistic missiles. US military assets were already present in the region and are now actively cooperating in the missile defense system. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Iran has crossed the ‘red line’ by attacking populated areas and it will have to pay a heavy price for it.
Iran has also claimed that it has carried out precision attacks on several Israeli military bases. The New York Times has not independently confirmed these claims. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has called on the Iranian people to stand up against their rulers and warned that the Iranian regime will face grave consequences.
Iran has confirmed that its two top military commanders, Mohammad Bagheri and General Hossein Salami, as well as Ali Shamkhani, a politician involved in the nuclear talks, have been killed. General Ismail Ghaani, who was the head of the Quds Force, is also reported to have been killed.
Former US President Donald Trump has warned Iran that if it does not stop its nuclear program, it may face “even more brutal” attacks. Iran has said that it will not participate in the nuclear talks to be held in Oman this weekend.
This conflict has not only become a threat to regional stability, but is also becoming a serious challenge to world peace.
