Updated 11:59 PM: The attack on Iran has begun. Channels in Iran associated with the Revolutionary Guards reported explosions in Tehran early Friday morning. Israel declared a state of emergency.
By Anash.org Staff
Channels in Iran associated with the Revolutionary Guards reported explosions in Tehran early Friday morning.
Defense Minister Israel Katz said, “Following a preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and drone attack is expected against the State of Israel and its civilian population in the immediate timeframe.”
“Therefore, in accordance with his authority under the Civil Defense Law, Defense Minister Israel Katz has signed a special order, pursuant to which a special state of emergency will be imposed throughout the entire territory of the State of Israel.”
The public is urged to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and to remain in protected spaces.
The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit stated, “Following the situational assessment, it was determined that as of today (Friday), at 03:00, immediate changes will be made to the Home Front Command Guidelines.”
“As part of the changes, it was decided to shift all areas of the country from Full Activity to Essential Activity.”
The guidelines include: a prohibition on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, except for essential sectors. Tzvika Tessler from the Home Front Command said on Israeli TV that missiles could be launched from the east in the coming hours. He warned they could reach anywhere in the country and said people would get clear alerts.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement: “Tonight, Israel acted unilaterally against Iran. The United States was not involved in the strikes. Our top priority remains the safety of American forces in the region. Israel informed us they viewed this operation as essential for their self-defense. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary measures to safeguard our personnel and are in close coordination with regional allies. Let me be clear — Iran must not target U.S. forces or interests.”
The operation has been officially named by Israel as “Am KeLavi” – Nation of Lions
Update: 9:00 pm:
The IDF has released a new statement:
“A short while ago, following the directive of the political echelon, the IDF launched a preemptive, precise, combined offensive based on high-quality intelligence to strike Iran’s nuclear program, and in response to the Iranian regime’s ongoing aggression against Israel. A short while ago, dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.”
“The IDF and the relevant authorities are prepared for a wide range of scenarios in defense and offense that may be needed. For years, the Iranian regime has been waging a direct and indirect campaign of terror against the State of Israel, by funding and directing terrorist activities via its proxies across the Middle East, while advancing toward obtaining a nuclear weapon.”
“The Iranian regime is at the head of the axis responsible for all terrorist attacks against the State of Israel since the beginning of the ‘Swords of Iron’ War, including by arming and funding the Hamas terror organization which was responsible for the October 7th Massacre. During the ‘Swords of Iron’ War, Iran even directly attacked Israel twice, firing hundreds of missiles toward the State of Israel.”
“The Iranian regime has proclaimed that its objective is to destroy the State of Israel. Senior officials in the Iranian regime have publicly declared their intent to destroy Israel, and are operating to achieve this together with their proxies in the Middle East.”
“Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and a significant threat to the wider world. The State of Israel will not allow a regime whose objective is to destroy the State of Israel to obtain weapons of mass destruction.”
“The IDF has conducted a process of preparations for a campaign on the frontline and on the home front. The resilience of Israel’s citizens will be an important factor of the campaign. The IDF is ready to continue to act as required. The State of Israel has the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past. The IDF is conducting an ongoing situational assessment and will update on any developments.”
Update: 9:10 pm:
Prime Minister Netanyahu aired the following statement.
“Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
He said it was a military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile programs. He stated that Iran has enriched enough uranium for nine nuclear bombs and is now actively working to weaponize it. Israeli forces, he said, struck key sites including Iran’s main enrichment facility, nuclear scientists, and ballistic missile infrastructure. Netanyahu emphasized the urgency of the threat, declaring, “Never again is now.”
Update: 9:20 pm:
Fire and smoke have been spotted rising from Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility.
Update: 9:35 pm:
Among the targets of the elimination were Iran’s military Chief of Staff, Commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, and Nuclear Scientists.
Ballistic missile bases in Piranshahr, western Iran, have been struck.
Update: 10:00 pm:
According to Iranian TV, the Revolutionary Guard headquarters in Tehran was hit. Their base in Ahvaz has been hit too.
Recent eliminations reported in the news:
Gen. Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander of the armed forces
Nuclear scientist Fereydoun Abbasi
Major General Hossein Salami, chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)
Update: 10:30 pm:
New York- “The NYPD is tracking the situation in the Middle East. Out of an abundance of caution, we’re deploying additional resources to Jewish, Israeli & other sites throughout NYC. We’re coordinating with our federal partners & we’ll continue to monitor for any potential impact to NYC.”
There are no credible threats at the moment.
Update: 11:59 pm:
More eliminations:
Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, a nuclear engineering professor at Shahid Beheshti University
Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Major General Bagheri
Revolutionary Guard Commander, General Salami
Khatam al-Anbiya Central HQ Commander, Major General Rashid
Netanyahu releases a statement to the Israeli public: “There are no free wars. You may very well be required to stay in protected areas for a long time, much longer than we have been accustomed to until now.”
Report: At Netanyahu’s visit to the Kosel today, his note read: “עָם כְּלָבִיא יָקוּם וְכַאֲרִי יִתְנַשָּׂא” – “A people that rises like a lioness and raises itself like a lion” – from the posuk Bamidbar 23:24, which is the same phrase used in the name of the operation Rising Lions.
Iran’s top nuclear chief has admitted that the Natanz facility—one of the regime’s most critical nuclear sites—has been completely destroyed.
“They will come out against you in one direction, but they will flee from you in seven directions.” Reports that a large number of Iranian air-defense operators abandoned their posts last night, following the initial few waves of strikes by Israel.
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