Chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Hossein Salami killed in Israel airstrike, Iran retaliates
PTC News Desk: Iran on Friday confirmed killing of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami in an Israeli airstrike. Israel launched scathing preemptive military attacks on this morning striking dozens of Iranian military and nuclear-related sites in a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions.
Israel launched the attack under the banner 'Rising Lion' which was announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who stated that the offensive would persist "for as many days as it takes" to neutralise what Israel views as an imminent nuclear threat from Tehran.
"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 to the wider world," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement.
Meanwhile in response to Israel's massive attack, Iran has launched about 100 drones towards Israel which it is working to intercept.
"Iran launched approximately 100 UAVs towards Israeli territory, which we are working to intercept," military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said.
The official warned that the response to Israel's attack will be "harsh and decisive," adding that retaliation plans are being discussed at the highest levels, though no timeline was confirmed.
- With inputs from agencies
