Top Iranian leaders killed in Israeli missile strikes
Three of Iran’s most powerful men were eliminated in Israel’s overnight strikes on Iran, throwing a massive challenge to Tehran’s ability to retaliate, media reports said.
Those killed included Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of staff of the armed forces.
Salami, who led the IRGC, was very close to supreme leader Ali Khamenei and often accompanied him at public events.
The third leader to have been killed was Ali Shamkhani, one of Iran’s leading strategists, who served as the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council and a key adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Had they been alive, Salami and Bagheri would have played an important role in coordinating with Khamenei to launch retaliatory action against Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces said 200 jets were involved in striking about 100 targets, which, along with Iran’s military leadership, also left six top nuclear scientists dead.
Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes, which were years in the making, were launched to prevent Iran from making a nuclear bomb.
In the aftermath of the attacks, Tehran pulled out of a sixth round of talks with the US that were due to be held on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Israel launched fresh missile attacks on Iran on Friday night, less than 24 hours after it hit Tehran's nuclear and military establishments, according to a BBC report.
As a result of these strikes, Iran has also activated its air defence system, Iranian state media reported.
According to Press TV, missiles were intercepted in the southern part of Tehran. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) also reported fresh strikes in west Tehran.
A city near Tehran, called Kara, had also been targeted, according to IRIB.
In a post on X, the Israeli Air Force said it is continuing to "attack missile launchers and infrastructure" in Iran.
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