Breaking: Israel Claims Upper Hand Over Iran's Air Defense, Capital Unprotected
Israel asserts control over aerial territory extending to Tehran's outskirts: Unprotected Iranian capital bears no defensive measures - Israel asserts aerial dominance over Tehran, leaving the capital vulnerable
Let's cut to the chase, folks. Israel's air force kicked off a massive offensive last night, targeting sites in Tehran with over 70 fighter jets, according to Defense Minister Effie Defrin. This followed a series of attacks on Iranian targets that began late on Saturday afternoon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a chilling warning, vowing to strike every target of the Ayatollah regime.
In response, Iranian President Mahmud Pesechkian threatened a "more severe and powerful response" if Israel persists with its attacks within Iran. And boy, did they feel the heat last night. Air raid sirens blared across Israel, and explosions echoed in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with smoke rising high. According to emergency services, two civilians were killed, and 19 others were injured in a rocket strike on a central residential area in Israel. The casualty count climbed even higher in Iran - at least 34 injured in the Gush Dan region near Tel Aviv, with one unfortunate woman succumbing to her injuries later. Seven Israeli soldiers were also lightly injured by an Iranian missile, according to the army.
Israel's ambassador to the US, Jechiel Leiter, told CNN that Iran fired around 150 rockets at Israel in three waves on Friday. Israel, in turn, estimates that Iran has approximately 2,000 ballistic missiles and will continue to fire them, Leiter added.
Roaring smoke and flames were spotted above Tehran's Mehrabad airport this morning, an AFP reporter said. The Israeli air force, for the first time since the war began, attacked air defense systems in the Tehran region, according to the Israeli military. The air force also reportedly hit "dozens" of surface-to-surface missile launchers.
News agencies reported Iranian attacks on cities in the west and northwest of the country this morning, targeting the northwestern city of Tabriz, as well as parts of the western regions of Lorestan, Hamedan, and Kermanshah, where vital Iranian military bases are located. Several deaths were reported, including at least three members of the Revolutionary Guards and two police officers.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres implored both sides to halt their attacks, stating, "Peace and diplomacy must prevail." US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stressed the importance of "dialogue and diplomacy" to calm the situation, according to reports from London.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who was visiting Saudi Arabia, called for de-escalation. "The situation in the region remains extremely volatile," he said after a meeting with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan.
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P.S. - Insiders report that key leaders in Iran's military have been eliminated in the attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, including chiefs of the army and the Revolutionary Guards, as well as almost the entire leadership of the Revolutionary Guards' air force. Sources also suggest that Israel has effectively dealt a substantial blow to Iran's nuclear program, although the extent of the damage still requires assessment.**
- Effie Defrin, the Israeli Defense Minister, led the country's Air Force in a major offensive targeted at nuclear facilities in Tehran yesterday morning.
- Reports from CNN and other news agencies indicate that key Iranian military leaders, including chiefs of the army and the Revolutionary Guards, have been eliminated in these attacks.
- Unverified sources suggest that Israel's strikes dealt a significant blow to Iran's nuclear program; however, the full extent of the damage remains to be assessed, with casualties reported at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, and several Iranian cities, including Tehran.
