Following the death of IRGC Commander-in-Chief General Hossein Salami in Israel’s recent airstrikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has appointed Major General Mohammad Pakpour as the new chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), according to Al Jazeera. The IRGC serves as a military, political, and economic pillar of Iran’s Islamic regime, tasked with countering threats from both within and outside the country. It also plays a key role in overseeing Iran’s nuclear program and regional military operations.

Multiple Iranian news outlets are reporting that Israeli strikes across several regions of Iran have killed at least 78 people and injured 329. The Iranian government has not yet released official casualty figures. Reports claim the attacks have killed several key figures, including the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, the chief of the armed forces, and several prominent nuclear scientists. In retaliation, Iran has launched counterattacks targeting Israel.

Following coordinated attacks on eight Iranian cities early Friday, Israel has reportedly launched a fresh round of airstrikes targeting Shiraz and Tabriz. Additionally, fresh strikes have hit the Natanz nuclear facility, according to Iranian media reports. Iran’s Tasnim News Agency reported multiple explosions near Tabriz Airport, while state television confirmed new blasts in East Azerbaijan province minutes before the latest update. Israel has yet to issue an official statement on this fresh offensive.

Iran has accused Israel of assassinating six of its nuclear scientists and launching an attack on the Natanz nuclear facility. Tehran claims that this assault has further reinforced the necessity of continuing its uranium enrichment and missile development programs.

In a strongly worded statement, Iran said, “One cannot negotiate with a predatory state like Israel using anything but the language of power.” Iranian officials also stated that the world now has a clearer understanding of why Iran is determined to advance its uranium enrichment, nuclear technology, and missile capabilities.

Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that Israel’s attack did not cause any damage to the nuclear facilities in the city of Isfahan.

Iran has issued a strong warning following Israeli airstrikes on its territory, accusing the United States of direct involvement. Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi stated that Israel will face a ruthless response for its night raids, which targeted residential areas and strategic sites. Iran's military command echoed this sentiment, promising harsh retaliation. Iranian media reported that over 200 Israeli jets struck more than 100 targets, including nuclear and military facilities, killing IRGC commander Major General Hossein Salami along with many women and children.

Iran has accused the United States of complicity in Israel’s deadly airstrikes on its nuclear and military facilities, which reportedly killed IRGC chief Hossein Salami, Armed Forces head General Mohammad Bagheri, and several nuclear scientists. Tehran declared it has a legal right to respond under the UN Charter. Israel conducted over 100 strikes on at least eight Iranian locations. Explosions were heard in several cities. While Israel vows to continue operations, the U.S. denies involvement but warns Iran against retaliation.

Israel has launched a targeted attack on Iran’s Natanz nuclear enrichment center, claiming to significantly damage Tehran’s nuclear bomb development efforts. Prime Minister Netanyahu said the operation focused on nuclear scientists and warned of continued strikes if needed. The attack also reportedly hit ballistic missile infrastructure and military facilities. Iranian media reported multiple explosions across Tehran, including residential areas and the IRGC headquarters. In response, Israel has declared a nationwide special emergency. Iran has yet to officially confirm the full extent of the damage.

Global oil markets reacted sharply after Israel launched an attack on Tehran. Crude oil prices soared more than 9%, reaching the highest level in over five months.

The direct fallout from Israel’s strike on Iran sent shockwaves through the energy market early Friday. Concerns over potential disruptions in Middle Eastern oil supplies drove prices to multi-month highs. Brent crude surged by $6.29, or 9.7%, hitting $75.65 per barrel—the highest since January 27. Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude jumped by $6.43, or 9.45%, to $74.47 per barrel, marking its highest point since January 21.

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, fears of supply chain disruptions are rattling global markets.

Iran is preparing a strong and decisive retaliation in response to Israeli airstrikes on its nuclear program, according to a senior security source. Discussions on the nature and timing of the response are currently taking place at the highest levels in Tehran. Meanwhile, an Israeli military official revealed that the strikes have occurred in five phases, targeting at least eight locations across Iran with over a hundred air raids. The tensions between the two nations are rapidly escalating.

Iran has launched a large-scale counterattack on Israel, deploying more than a hundred drones over the past few hours in response to Israeli airstrikes on Tehran. Brigadier General Efi Defrin, chief spokesman of Iran’s armed forces, confirmed the attack, stating, “Tehran is working to dismantle all of Israel’s defensive systems.”

Earlier on Friday morning, Israel carried out a series of strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, claiming it was an effort to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons.

Israeli airstrikes across Iran have killed top military and nuclear officials, including Armed Forces Chief General Mohammad Bagheri and IRGC Commander Hossein Salami. Former nuclear chief Fereydoon Abbasi and scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi also died in the strikes. Iranian state TV confirmed the deaths, while reports say women and children were among civilian casualties in Tehran. Israel named the operation “Rising Lion,” stating it aimed to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. A nationwide emergency has been declared in Iran fearing retaliation.

Iran’s Tasnim news agency has reported that Israeli airstrikes have killed Major General Hossein Salami, chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), along with two prominent nuclear scientists. Several senior Iranian military officials also reportedly died in the attack. Rumors regarding the death of Iran’s military chief Mohammad Bagheri were denied by the state-run IRNA news agency.

Following recent Israeli airstrikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning, vowing that Israel would face "severe punishment" for its attack on Tehran. “Israel has revealed its malevolent nature by targeting residential areas,” said Khamenei. “This crime has paved the way for a bitter and painful consequence, which the Zionist regime must be prepared to face.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue military operations against Iran, stating that they will persist "as long as Iran poses an existential threat to Israel." In a video statement released Friday, Netanyahu said, “Israel has launched a targeted military campaign to counter the existential threat from Iran. The goal is to dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile systems, and military capabilities.” He added that Israel’s national defense policy has been adjusted, with all regions shifting from full operational mode to mission-critical alert status.

Following Israeli airstrikes on Tehran’s nuclear and military sites, Iran has closed its airspace until further notice. Israel stated that the attack, dubbed ‘Operation Rising Lion,’ was aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it “a decisive moment in Israel’s history,” adding that further strikes are expected in the coming days.