Tehran, Jun 13: In a major escalation of tensions in the Middle East, several top Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and other cities across Iran, according to Iranian state media (IRNA).
The strikes took place overnight on Friday and targeted multiple locations, including military facilities and residential areas.
Among those killed include Major General Mohammad Baqeri, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, Major General Hossein Salami, Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Gholamali Rashid, Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters, Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi, nuclear scientist and president of Islamic Azad University, and Fereydoun Abbasi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.
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Eyewitnesses in Tehran reported hearing several explosions through the night. Iranian state TV confirmed that residential buildings were also hit in the strikes. Local reporters and residents said women and children were among the dead.
This is one of the deadliest attacks on Iranian soil in recent years and marks a serious escalation in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
No official statement has yet been released by the Israeli government. However, experts believe the strikes were aimed at weakening Iran’s military command and nuclear capabilities.
The Iranian government is expected to respond strongly in the coming days, raising fears of further conflict in the region, IRNA reported.
