Top Iranian Commanders and Officials Killed; Khamenei and President Pezeshkian Targeted by Israel; Iran Retaliates Strongly

N. Prabhakaran Dubai: Reports indicate that senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and several government officia...

N. Prabhakaran

Dubai: Reports indicate that senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and several government officials were killed in a joint strike conducted by Israel and the United States on Saturday. Iranian state media reported the sounds of explosions across Tehran, Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Karaj.

Official Israeli sources stated that the airstrikes primarily targeted Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian. While officials confirmed the operation aimed to eliminate high-ranking government figures and military commanders, the exact outcome of these specific strikes remains unclear.

In contrast, Iran’s Tasnim News Agency earlier reported that President Pezeshkian is "in perfect health."

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the attacks achieved "great success" in their objective of eliminating Iran’s leadership. The report suggests that while this assessment holds true for several senior commanders, the status of the top leadership is still being monitored; regarding Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the report noted that "it cannot be said that something dramatic hasn't happened."

According to preliminary military assessments, Iran launched approximately 35 ballistic missiles toward Israel between this morning and evening. While some of these missiles were intercepted by air defense systems, others landed in uninhabited open areas. Debris has been reported in various parts of Israel, and healthcare workers confirmed that at least one person was injured during the exchange.

Official sources confirmed that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not currently in Tehran, having been moved to a "secure location."

The joint military maneuver, titled "Operation Roaring Lion," is being carried out to dismantle Iran’s military capabilities and eliminate threats against Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the objective of the operation is to oust the current Iranian regime. He remarked that it is time for all ethnic groups in Iran—including Persians, Kurds, Assyrians, Balochis, and Ahwazis—to be liberated from the current dictatorship.

U.S. officials confirmed that the United States is directly participating in these attacks, which are being launched from both air and sea.