Israel strikes Iran nuclear and missile sites; Tehran retaliates with drones
Tehran vows ‘severe punishment’ after Israel attacks multiple targets, killing top commanders and nuclear scientists
04:09
Israel launches strikes on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities in Tehran
Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran on Friday, saying it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders and that this was the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
It appeared to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its 1980s war with Iraq, with multiple sites around the country hit.
Iran promised a harsh response, and Israel said it was working to intercept dozens of drones launched towards Israeli territory in retaliation. But around 0800 GMT, Israeli media said an order to citizens to remain near protected areas had been lifted, suggesting that most or all of the drones had been neutralised.
An Israeli security source said Israeli Mossad commandos had operated deep inside the Islamic Republic before the attack and the Israeli spy agency and military had led a series of covert operations against Iran’s strategic missile array.
Israel also established an attack-drone base near Tehran, the source added. The military said it had carried out a large-scale strike against Iran’s air defences, destroying “dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers”. Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions including at the main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz.