Israel carries out strikes targeting Iranian nuclear, military sites

The Israeli military has carried out several strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and military sites in and around the country’s capital, Tehran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

In a prerecorded video message posted early Friday morning, Netanyahu said the strikes were aimed at hurting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile factories.“This operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us,” Netanyahu said.

An unnamed Israeli military official told the Reuters news agency that Israel struck “dozens” of nuclear and military targets early on Friday.

Iranian state-run news agency, Nour News, said several “loud explosions” have been reported in and around Iran’s capital. It added that Iran’s air defence system is on full alert, and all flights at Imam Khomeini international airport have been suspended.

The Israeli military also confirmed to The Times of Israel newspaper it had “launched an aerial campaign against Iran’s nuclear programme” in an operation dubbed “Nation of Lions”. The source told the outlet it needed to act against the “imminent threat” posed by Iran.Iranian state-run media outlet Press TV confirmed that there have been several casualties, without providing a number.

An unnamed Israeli defence official said the strikes have likely killed members of Iran’s general staff, including the chief of staff and several senior nuclear scientists.