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TEHRAN -- Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Friday appointed new military commanders following the deaths of key security officials in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, the state-run IRNA news agency reported.

The appointments come after Israel launched a wave of airstrikes early Friday targeting Tehran and other Iranian cities. The strikes killed Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri, Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, and Gholam-Ali Rashid, head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, according to Iranian media.

Khamenei named Abdolrahim Mousavi as the new chief of staff of the armed forces, Mohammad Pakpour as the IRGC's new commander, and Ali Shadmani to lead the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, IRNA said.

Before their appointments, Mousavi headed the regular army, Pakpour commanded the IRGC's Ground Force, and Shadmani served as deputy coordinator at Khatam al-Anbiya.

In addition to the top military leaders, the semi-official Tasnim news agency said the Israeli strikes also killed six Iranian nuclear scientists, including Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, as well as an unspecified number of civilians.

In a statement on Friday, Khamenei condemned the attacks, warning that Israel would face "severe punishment" for what he called a crime against Iran.

TEHRAN/JERUSALEM -- Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) said on Friday that part of the Natanz nuclear facility was damaged in an Israeli airstrike carried out early in the morning, but reported no casualties or radioactive leaks.

Authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage, the AEOI said in a statement. It condemned the strike as a clear violation of international law and criticized the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for remaining silent, warning that the agency's inaction could undermine its credibility.

An emergency meeting of the IAEA's Board of Governors will be convened to address Israel's strikes on Iran, diplomats said on Friday. The decision follows a request made by at least one member state during the board's regular quarterly session.

Israel's military confirmed the strike, saying its air force had conducted a precision-guided attack on the underground sections of the Natanz facility, located in Iran's central province of Isfahan. The site is Iran's largest uranium enrichment plant.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike targeted a multi-story underground enrichment hall containing centrifuges, electrical systems, and other critical infrastructure. It added that key components enabling the continued operation and advancement of Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program were also hit.

"The close cooperation between the IDF's Intelligence Directorate and the air force resulted in significant damage to the site," the IDF said.

The strike was part of a broader operation launched by Israel early Friday, which targeted senior Iranian military commanders and multiple military facilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the campaign was aimed at crippling Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile production capabilities, and broader military capacity.

JERUSALEM -- Israel has temporarily closed all of its diplomatic missions worldwide as its military operation in Iran continues, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday.

As a result, consular services will not be available to Israeli citizens currently abroad, the ministry said. It urged Israelis overseas to complete an online form updating their location and situation, and advised those in need of urgent assistance to contact the ministry's situation room directly.

The statement also warned Israelis abroad to avoid displaying national symbols in public, refrain from posting identifiable information or travel plans on social media, and avoid attending large-scale events linked to Israel.

Earlier on Friday, Israel launched a large-scale strike on dozens of military targets in Iran, including nuclear facilities. The attacks killed several senior Iranian military commanders, including Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mohammad Bagheri and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, according to Iranian media.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed retaliation, warning that Israel had "prepared a bitter fate for itself".

China expressed deep concern on Friday over the possible consequences caused by Israel's wide-ranging attack on Iran, urging all parties to avoid exacerbating tensions.

Beijing opposes the violation of Iran's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular news conference, after Israel launched strikes against multiple targets in Iran.

China also opposes heightening tensions and expanding conflicts, Lin said, adding that escalating regional tensions does not serve any party's interest.

Urging all parties to do more to promote regional peace and stability, Lin said China is willing to play a constructive role in easing tensions.

US President Donald Trump confirmed that he was aware of Israel's actions before they occurred, expressing a preference for negotiation over Israeli strikes against Iran, he told the US media on Friday.

Speaking to US TV network Fox News, Trump noted that "There were several people in the leadership of Iran who will not be coming back." Iranian media reported that Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, Iran's armed forces chief of staff General Mohammad Bagheri and two nuclear scientists were among those allegedly assassinated in Israeli attacks, though official confirmation has yet to be provided.

Trump went to say that "hopefully they get back to the negotiation table" while insisting that "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb".

The Israeli strike may change the dynamics of US-Iran nuclear negotiations that was scheduled for Sunday in Oman. Iran has repeatedly stressed that their nuclear program is not for weaponry, but for the right of Iranians to peaceful nuclear use.

However, US officials said the US will help defend Israel if needed.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States was not involved in Israeli strikes inside Iran in an effort to distance Washington from getting in between the two adversaries.

"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement.

Trump had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu several times recently, according to Fox News.

Earlier, Trump warned that there is a "chance of massive conflict" in the Middle East, confirming that an Israeli attack on Iran is "possible".

Speaking to reporters in the US on Thursday, Trump said he would "love to avoid the conflict" and suggested that the US would like Israel to hold off on plans to strike Iran's nuclear sites while Washington and Teheran continue their negotiations.

"I want to have an agreement with Iran. We're fairly close to an agreement … I'd much prefer an agreement," the US president said. "As long as I think there is an agreement, I don't want them (the Israelis) going in because I think that would blow it – might help it actually, but it also could blow it."

Trump skipped Israel in his first Middle East trip this year, unlike his tour in his first term.

JERUSALEM - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Effie Defrin said in a video statement that Iran had launched more than 100 drones towards Israel following the Israel Air Force's operation in Iran early Friday morning.

According to several Israeli media outlets, the drones would take hours to reach Israeli territory if not intercepted beforehand.

The IDF said in a statement that Israel's operation resulted in the killing of the three most senior Iranian military commanders: chief of staff of Iranian armed forces Mohammad Bagheri, chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami, and commander of Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters Gholam Ali Rashid.

It added that more than 200 air force fighter jets, guided by intelligence, struck more than 100 targets across Iran with 330 munitions. These targets include the hideouts of senior Iranian military commanders.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned military escalation in the Middle East while Saudi Arabia strongly slammed the blatant Israeli aggressions against Iran early Friday.

Addressing the Israeli attack on Iran, Guterres said that: "I condemn any military escalation in the Middle East," according to his deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.

"I am particularly concerned about Israeli attacks on nuclear facilities in Iran, at a time when contacts are taking place between Iran and the United States regarding the status of the Iranian nuclear program," Guterres said. "I remind UN member states of their obligation to act in accordance with the UN Charter and international law."

Guterres called for maximum restraint on all sides to prevent an escalation from happening, according to Farhan Haq.

In Riyadh, a statement from Saudi Foreign Ministry said: The Kingdom "expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms."

The statement, released by the Saudi Press Agency, also affirms "that the international community and the Security Council bears a "great responsibility to halt this immediate aggression".

Israel should expect a harsh punishment, said Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday after Israel launched attacks.

Khamenei's message was broadcast to the nation on Friday morning, hours after Israel struck locations in Tehran and other cities.

"The regime should await a harsh response," Khamenei said. "With this crime, the Zionist regime sealed for itself a bitter and painful destiny and will definitely see that (destiny) brought upon it."

Iranian Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for the Armed Forces, also said on Friday morning the Islamic Republic's response to the attacks will be heavy.

The Israeli regime began military strikes in and near the Iranian capital, Tehran, as well as other cities in Iran overnight on Friday. The state TV said they saw the bodies of women and children among the victims.

Tasnim news agency of Iran reported that Chief Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Hossein Salami and some other military and civilian figures have been assassinated in Israeli strikes. No confirmation from official sources was yet available.

Brigadier General Shekarchi also said that overnight strikes by the Israeli regime had been carried out with US support.

Israel has claimed they are attacking Iran's facilities and personnel related to nuclear programs and indicated that waves of attacks could continue.

Iran armed forces chief of staff Bagheri killed in Israel attacks: Iran's state media

Iran closes airspace following Israeli airstrikes: Iran's state-run media

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the preemptive strikes against Iran starting from midnight Friday will continue "as long as necessary", despite outside concerns of Israel violating international law.

Netanyahu said they are striking at Iran's nuclear programs, ballistic missiles and military capabilities and leading nuclear scientists.

"This operation will continue as long as necessary until we complete the mission," Netanyahu said in a statement put on YouTube, X, and other outlets.

The Iranian side is yet to issue an official statement. Iran's Press TV said Natanz nuclear facility in central Iran has been targeted, showing footage of fire and smoke billowing from a site.

Different parts in the western neighborhood in Mahallati, located in the northeastern part of Tehran were hit, which is known as a residential area and is known for having buildings that relate to residents of military officials. Some of the footage also coming out indicates that the buildings look to be residential.

Netanyahu said, "I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran's nuclear weapon program" in his statement.

But US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally.

"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio said in a statement on Friday.

"Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel," he added.

The United States has engaged in four rounds of nuclear talks with Iran. Iran has repeatedly emphasized its nuclear program is not aimed at weaponry, and Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei long time ago issued a religious decree against development of nuclear weaponry.

While US officials suggested seeking to end Iran's nuclear program, Iran has emphasized its right to nuclear power generation as a member of the non-proliferation treaty.

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israel has conducted a "preemptive strike" on Iran, declaring a special state of emergency across the country.

Israel has closed airspace for arrivals and departures, the Transportation Ministry said.

The attacks came soon after the United Nations General Assembly, at an Emergency Special Session, adopted a resolution on Thursday demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza in Palestine and immediate access to humanitarian assistance at scale.

The resolution demanded "an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire, to be respected by all parties."

It strongly condemned any use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access. It stressed the obligation not to deprive civilians in the Gaza Strip of objects indispensable to their survival, including by willfully impeding relief supplies and access.

Two Iranian nuclear scientists killed in Israeli strike - Iran state TV

TEHRAN -- Chief Commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Hossein Salami was killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Iranian capital Tehran Friday morning, the official news agency IRNA reported.

Revolutionary Guards headquarters in Tehran has been hit by Israel -- Iran state TV

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Israel's air strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities early Friday before a critical round of talks between the United States and Iran may lead to serious consequences and stroke extended conflicts across the region.

The Israel Defense Forces said its operation against Iran's nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities will last several days, The Times of Israel reported.

"We are in the window of strategic opportunities. We have reached the point of no return, and there is no choice but to act now," IDF officials were quoted by the paper.

Explosions took place in early hours in the Iranian capital Tehran, Iranian state TV reported. Damage to other parts of Iran were yet to be confirmed.

"Loud explosions are being heard in different locations of the capital Tehran," state TV said without providing details. Iran's air defense systems were on full alert.

Iran suspended all flights at its main Iman Khomeini airport, state TV said. Earlier, Iranian military officials promised strong countermeasures in case of nuclear facilities being hit.

On Thursday, the chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Major General Hossein Salami, said during a ceremony in Tehran: "The enemy sometimes threatens us with military action. We have always said—and repeat now—that we are fully prepared for any scenario, under any circumstances."

The US and Iran are scheduled to resume nuclear talks on Sunday, the fifth round, which may prove critical with suggestions of breakthrough.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that an Israeli strike on Iran's nuclear sites "could very well happen" but advised against it, saying the possibility of a deal was "fairly close" if Tehran compromises on its atomic ambitions in ongoing talks with the US.

Yet the US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in an interview on Thursday that Israel was unlikely to attack Iran without a green light from Washington, which further complicated the situation.

Israel striking nuclear and military targets, military official says.

TEHRAN/JERUSALEM - Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel has conducted a "preemptive strike" on Iran, declaring a special state of emergency across the country.

Iran's IRIB state TV reported that major explosion sounds were heard in areas of the capital Tehran early Friday, and the source has not been determined yet.

Explosions heard in Iran's capital: media reports