Iranian Military Chief and 6 Nuclear Scientists Martyred in Israeli Strikes — “Israel Will Face the Harshest Retaliation,” Says Khamenei

Tehran / Tel Aviv / Washington (Web Desk): On Friday morning, Israel targeted "nuclear and military installations" in Iran, resulting in the confirmed martyrdom of senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists.

According to Iranian official sources, the Israeli attack claimed the lives of Iran’s military chief General Mohammad Bagheri, the Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hossein Salami, and six key Iranian nuclear scientists.

The Israeli military confirmed the attack, stating that the operation was conducted under the name "Operation Rising Lines."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “Israel's existence was under threat from Iran, and this operation had become necessary.”

In immediate response to the Israeli strikes, Iran launched approximately 100 drones toward Israel. However, Israel’s defense systems intercepted and destroyed them before they could reach their targets.

On the other hand, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning, saying, “Israel has chosen a bitter fate for itself and will face severe consequences.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the United States had no role in the Israeli attack on Iran and was not involved in planning or supporting the operation.