The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was forced to strike Iran because Iran was secretly developing all the components of a nuclear weapon and approached the "point of no return" in recent months.
"In recent months, accumulated intelligence information has provided evidence that the Iranian regime is approaching the point of no return... The IDF is revealing for the first time that the Iranian regime is advancing a secret plan for the technological advancement of all parts of the development of a nuclear weapon. In the framework of this plan, senior nuclear scientists in Iran have been working to secretly develop all components needed for developing a nuclear weapon. In recent months, this program has accelerated significantly, bringing the regime significantly closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon... The State of Israel has been left with no choice," the IDF said in a statement on Telegram.
The Israel Defense Forces said it had scrambled 200 warplanes to fire over 330 projectiles at Iran overnight, in an attack that killed the Iranian chief of staff.
"We can now confirm that the Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command were all eliminated in the Israeli strikes across Iran by more than 200 fighter jets," the IDF said.
Tehran has begun taking "necessary defense, political and legal measures" in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Iran, the Iranian government said.
"The Iranian government has initiated the necessary defense, political and legal measures to make Israel regret and deprive its people of sleep," the Iranian government said.
Earlier in the day, Israel Defense Forces' spokesperson Effie Defrin said that Iran had launched more than 100 drones into Israel in the past few hours.
Houses in a residential complex in Tehran, where high-ranking military officials reside, were destroyed.
Israel struck at least 60 sites across eight provinces in Iran, the country's red crescent stated.
There were also explosions at the Iranian nuclear facility in Natanz.
Iranian media reported the death of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, another commander, as well as three nuclear physicists.
Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei has appointed Habibollah Sayyari as the interim Chief of General Staff of the Iranian armed forces and Ahmad Vahidi as the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Nour News agency reported.
In the morning, it was reported that the head of the Iranian General Staff was killed as a result of Israeli attacks.
The Supreme Leader of Iran stated that he gives "freedom of action" to the country's armed forces to respond to Israel's strikes.
He also confirmed that "scientists and military commanders" were killed in the Israeli strikes. Khamenei called Israel's strikes a crime, saying Israel will face a "bitter and terrible fate."
In anticipation of Iran's response, Israel's Minister of Defense declared a state of emergency.
After launching the operation against Iran, the Israeli army ordered the call-up of thousands of reservists.
In response to Israel's strikes on Iran, Trump convened a meeting with his cabinet.
The US President said that he was aware of Israeli strikes on targets in Iran. In an interview with Fox News, Trump noted that the Israeli attack did not come as a surprise to him.
"Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back," Trump said.
The US is ready to defend itself and Israel if Iran tries to respond to strikes on its facilities, Trump said, noting that the US Central Command is on high alert.
The US claimed it did not participate or provide assistance to Israel. However, Tehran considers the United States an accomplice in Israel's strikes on Iran, Iranian General Staff spokesman Brig. Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi said.
The US claimed it did not participate or provide assistance to Israel. However, Tehran considers the United States an accomplice in Israel's strikes on Iran, Iranian General Staff spokesman Brig. Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi said.
"Israel carried out these attacks with the help of the United States," Shekarchi said live.
