Israel Strikes Iran: Tehran Vows ‘Heavy Price’ as Regional Tensions Soar

Following a major Israeli airstrike on Iranian territory early Friday, Iranian armed forces spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi warned on state television that Israel and the United States would pay a “heavy price” for the assault.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also issued a stern warning, stating that Israel would face a “harsh punishment,” according to a report by Reuters.

Israel Launches ‘Operation Rising Lion’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the strikes—dubbed Operation Rising Lion—were aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile production facilities, and key military command centers.

The attack marks a significant escalation in the longstanding standoff between the two nations over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

U.S. Denies Involvement

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Israel acted unilaterally, informing Washington in advance but not requesting direct support. He emphasized that the United States was not involved in the operation, and that its top priority is the safety of American personnel in the region.

Explosions Reported Across Iran

Iranian media and eyewitnesses reported multiple explosions, including near the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, one of Iran’s most heavily guarded nuclear sites. In anticipation of retaliation, Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, preparing for potential missile and drone attacks.

Revolutionary Guards Chief Reportedly Killed

In a major development, Iranian state television reported that Hossein Salami, commander of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed when the unit’s headquarters in Tehran was struck. The broadcast also claimed that several children were killed in a residential neighborhood of the capital during the strikes.

Tensions at Breaking Point

The strike comes amid rapidly rising tensions over Iran’s expanding nuclear program. While Tehran insists it has no intention of building nuclear weapons, Israeli officials have repeatedly vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring such capabilities.

With both sides on high alert and global powers urging restraint, the region stands on the brink of a broader conflict.