Tehran is in mourning and crisis following an Israeli airstrike that killed several high-ranking Iranian officials and nuclear scientists in a series of strikes across multiple cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Ahvaz. Among the dead are Major General Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters; and prominent nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi. Iranian media reported that the strikes also caused civilian casualties, including women and children, as missiles hit residential buildings.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called the attacks a “crime” and promised “severe punishment” for Israel. “This regime must await severe punishment,” he said in an official statement, vowing that Iran’s armed forces would respond decisively. State-run media and military officials echoed the message, indicating a powerful retaliation is imminent. Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesman for the Iranian military, declared that Israel “will pay a heavy price” for its actions.
In Tel Aviv, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the operation, describing it as a “preemptive strike” intended to cripple Iran’s nuclear capabilities. According to Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), dozens of military and suspected nuclear sites were targeted in what they referred to as the “first stage” of a broader operation. While Israel insists the attack was defensive in nature, its scope and impact have triggered alarm across the region and beyond.
The United States, while denying direct involvement, is reported to have alerted at least one Middle Eastern ally ahead of the operation. President Donald Trump expressed readiness to support Israel in case of Iranian retaliation, with U.S. Central Command placed on high alert. Reports also indicate the U.S. has recently bolstered Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, signaling a preparedness for escalation.
Reactions from BRICS member states have been swift and critical. China and Russia both condemned the strikes, with Beijing urging all parties to exercise restraint and Moscow warning that continued attacks could destabilize the broader Middle East. Officials from South Africa and Brazil also called for diplomatic solutions and adherence to international law. With Iran vowing a strong response and the global community deeply concerned, the region now faces one of its most dangerous moments in recent years.
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