Israel Claims Air Superiority Over Iran, Launches Strikes on Tehran and Nuclear Facilities.
In a major escalation, Israel on Saturday claimed to have gained air superiority from western Iran to Tehran, striking dozens of targets in one of the most direct and expansive military operations against Iran to date. Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said the overnight campaign involved 70 fighter jets and targeted at least 40 sites, including key air defence systems and nuclear-related infrastructure.
“We have created aerial freedom of action from western Iran all the way to Tehran,” Defrin declared. “Tehran is no longer immune — the capital is exposed to Israeli strikes.”
Operation Rising Lion: Heavy Damage, High-Profile Kills
Codenamed Operation Rising Lion, the Israeli offensive reportedly dealt a severe blow to Iran’s military and nuclear leadership. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), more than 20 senior Iranian commanders were killed, including Armed Forces Chief Mohammad Bagheri, a figure Israel says oversaw Iran’s missile programs.
The IDF also released footage showing strikes on what it described as strategic missile and nuclear assets across Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation had delivered “serious damage” to Iran’s nuclear capabilities and warned that “no target of the ayatollah regime is out of reach.”
Tehran Strikes Back as Conflict Escalates
The strikes came in retaliation for Iran’s overnight launch of hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israeli territory, which killed three people and injured over 70 in and around Tel Aviv.
In response, Israel’s campaign expanded into Iranian territory, with local media confirming the deaths of three IRGC personnel in the northwest and two police officials in a separate drone strike roughly 300 km from Tehran.
Rising Fears of Wider War
The escalation marks one of the most dangerous flashpoints in years between the two regional adversaries, amid mounting fears that the conflict could draw in other powers or spill across borders. While Israel has previously targeted Iranian interests in Syria and other regions through covert operations or airstrikes, the scale and transparency of this campaign signal a potential shift in doctrine — and a deepening of direct hostilities.
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