Rabat – Iran’s state media confirmed the killing of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami during an Israeli strike.
The Iranian state media confirmed the news amid a global media frenzy over Israel’s strikes on Iran.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said that the “Zionist regime has committed a crime in our dear country today at dawn with its satanic, bloodstained hands,” noting that the regime should “anticipate a severe punishment.”
Israel confirmed it launched an attack against Iran, including the country’s nuclear facilities, commanders, and scientists.
Israel said that Iran also launched 100 drones, with Benjamin Netanyahu claiming that the Israeli attack aimed at ”rolling back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.”
“We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program,” Netanyahu said, noting that the occupation forces struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear “weaponization programme.”
The world responded to the Israeli attack, with the US distancing itself from Israel’s move against Iran.
“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,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, noting that Israel has “advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.”
Rubio vowed that Trump and his administration have taken “all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners.”
He also threatened Iran, urging it not to target US interests or personnel.
The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, also responded to the latest updates, urging all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently.
“Escalation serves no one i the region,” he said, calling for stability in the Middle East as a priority.
The UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson also conveyed Antonio Guterres’ condemnation of the military escalation in the Middle East.
“He is participatory concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran’s nuclear programme are underway,” the spokesperson said, remarking that the Secretary General asks both sides to show maximum restraint.
Oman and Saudi Arabia have also responded to the escalation.
Oman said that it considers the act a dangerous, reckless escalation and pointed out that this represents a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and the principles of international law.
It also holds Israel responsible for the escalation.
Saudi Arabia also condemned the “blatant Israeli aggressions” against Iran, noting that this undermines its sovereignty and security and constitutes a clear violation of international laws and norms.
