By F. Sola Adeniji | M10News.com
Category: International Affairs | Date: June 14, 2025
Israel’s pre-emptive airstrike on Iran last Friday reportedly killed nine of the country’s leading nuclear scientists, marking a significant escalation in its campaign to halt Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to intensify Israel’s military pressure on Iran’s nuclear program, promising to strike “every place, every site, every target” associated with the Islamic Republic’s leadership.
“We will hit every site of the Ayatollah’s regime,” Netanyahu said in a video message to the nation. “What they have felt so far is nothing compared to what they will feel in the coming days.”
Israel’s military has warned that Iran’s capital city, Tehran, “will burn” if missile attacks against Israel continue, following a night in which Israeli forces claimed to have severely degraded Iran’s air defenses.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released footage showing targets struck in Tehran as missile exchanges between the two nations escalated after Israel’s unprecedented strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and military leadership.
“Over the past 24 hours, the Navy’s missile ships, air defense systems, fighter jets, and helicopters have intercepted dozens of Iranian drones aimed at Israel,” the IDF said.
At least three Israelis have been killed and dozens more injured in missile barrages targeting Tel Aviv and surrounding areas, sparking stern warnings from Israeli officials.
“If [Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei continues to fire missiles at the Israeli home front — Tehran will burn,” declared Defense Minister Israel Katz after a security meeting.
Khamenei responded defiantly, asserting that Iran will maintain its retaliation and strength.
“We will not allow them to escape safely from this great crime they committed,” Khamenei said in a video message following Israel’s Friday attack, which reportedly killed over 20 senior Iranian commanders, including the head of the Revolutionary Guard.
Among the Israeli casualties were two residents of Rishon Lezion, a Tel Aviv suburb, including 73-year-old Yisrael Aloni. Thirty-four people were wounded in the attacks on Tel Aviv, with one woman critically injured after being trapped under rubble.
Israel’s main international airport has been closed until further notice as the conflict intensifies.
The IDF reported carrying out a series of overnight strikes on multiple Iranian targets, including air defenses around Tehran.
Israel confirmed that nine nuclear scientists and experts were killed in Friday’s strikes, raising the total from earlier reports of six.
The newly confirmed casualties include Bakhouei Karimi, Mansour Asgari, and Saeed Barji, specialists in mechanics, physics, and materials engineering respectively.
An estimated 70 other military leaders were killed, with over 320 wounded in the strikes, representing a major blow to Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities.
Both nations have vowed to continue their attacks, increasing fears of a prolonged conflict in the Middle East.
Netanyahu stated clearly that Israel’s goal is to eliminate any Iranian threat to its security, signaling no intention of backing down.
Let me know if you want it tailored further or formatted for publication!
