Israel's 'decisive war' with Iran: what is known about the first victims and what are the consequences

Citing a military source, The Times of Israel reports that Israel launched a massive attack on Iran on Friday night, consisting of five successive waves of airstrikes. According to the source, hundreds of bombings were carried out by more than 200 aircraft.

Earlier, the Israeli army's press service announced the launch of "a preventive, carefully planned and coordinated operation, based on precise intelligence, with the aim of striking at Iran's nuclear program and in response to the Iranian government's ongoing aggression against Israel."

One of the first targets of the Israeli attack was the residence of Major General Mohammad Bagheri, head of the Joint Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. Israeli television Channel 13 reports the destruction of his residence and probable death.

Bagheri is one of the most influential military leaders in Iran. He has held a senior position in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) since 2016, having previously served as deputy chief of staff for intelligence and operations. He also fought in the Iran-Iraq War and played a prominent role in military cooperation with Russia. Bagheri is known as the architect of Tehran’s military doctrine and Iran’s leading strategist.

However, on the morning of June 13, reports came in that Bagheri was alive. Iranian news agencies claim that Iran's Chief of General Staff, General Mohammad Bagheri, is alive and not killed in an Israeli attack, as Western and Israeli media had previously reported.

The Israeli attack on Tehran on Friday also killed the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami, the Iranian news agency TASNIM reported.

"The IRGC commander fell victim to an attack carried out by the Zionist regime early in the morning on Friday, June 13," the statement said.

Before this, there were reports of a fire in the IRGC headquarters building.

In addition, it is reported that the head of the emergency command was also killed.

The Iranian commanders killed in Israeli strikes were "brutal killers," the Israel Defense Forces said.

"These three are ruthless mass murderers whose hands are stained with the blood of innocent people around the world. Their elimination is a blessing for the planet," the statement said.

In turn, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds the post of Supreme Leader of Iran, made a statement that Israel will not escape “inevitable punishment” for its aggressive actions against Iranian territory.

In a statement released by Iranian media, Khamenei stressed:

"By committing such a daring crime, the Zionist regime has brought upon itself the bitter and painful fate that will inevitably befall it."

In particular, it is noted that with its actions, Israel “demonstrated its criminal and bloodthirsty nature by committing an atrocity on the territory of our dear country, and thus once again confirmed its hostile intentions by striking civilian targets.”

Khamenei also confirmed that the victims of Israeli aggression were high-ranking military commanders and scientists working in the nuclear field - in particular, two senior nuclear scientists - Dr. Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi (who was already assassinated in 2010), who two weeks ago said that Tehran could develop tactical nuclear bombs. But this information has not yet been 100% confirmed.

A fire broke out at a military facility in Natanz, Iran, local media reported. Preliminary reports indicate that the uranium enrichment plant attacked by Israel is ablaze. Two reactors, an underground nuclear missile complex, a nuclear technology center, and a laboratory have been destroyed.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said there had been no increase in radiation levels at the Natanz nuclear facility that was the target of the strike.

The statement, distributed on the Telegram channel of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, emphasized that Israel's attacks on Iranian territory constitute a direct violation of Article 4, paragraph 2, of the United Nations Charter and are nothing more than an act of open aggression against the Islamic Republic.

In this regard, Tehran has an indisputable right to retaliate based on Article 51 of the UN Charter. The Iranian armed forces, as stated in the statement, will not hesitate to use all their force and choose their own method to defend the Iranian people from this aggression.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that military action will continue "for as many days as necessary" to eliminate the Iranian threat. According to a statement by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Iranian government's possession of weapons of mass destruction poses a danger to Israel and a serious threat to international security. Israel emphasizes that it will not allow a regime seeking to eliminate the Jewish state to possess weapons of mass destruction.

"We have launched a very successful initial strike, and with God's help we will achieve significant goals," Netanyahu said in a video address. The prime minister noted that "there are no free wars" and warned the population that the time spent in shelters could be longer than usual due to a possible retaliatory attack by Iran, RIA reports.

The prime minister particularly noted that the operation is directed against the Iranian regime, not the Iranian people. Netanyahu emphasized that the enemy of Israel and the entire free world is the tyranny that has held power in the country for almost half a century:

"We are not your enemy, and you are not our enemy. We have a common enemy, and that is the tyrannical regime that has suppressed you for almost 50 years." He expressed confidence that Iran's liberation from dictatorship is inevitable, and that Israel and Iran will then be able to restore their lost alliance: "When that happens, Israelis and Iranians will restore the alliance between our ancient peoples. Together, we will build a future of prosperity, a future of peace, a future of hope."

In anticipation of the start of the military operation, the Israeli leadership declared a state of emergency in the country, stopped air flights, put medical facilities on high alert and asked citizens to follow the orders of civil defense authorities.

As Pashkov reported, early in the morning, around three o'clock, air raid sirens sounded throughout Israel. The National Home Front Command promptly provided citizens with the necessary recommendations. Shortly after, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, explaining the events that had taken place.

Following the introduction of a flight ban in Israeli airspace, crowds formed at Ben Gurion Airport.

"Hundreds, perhaps even thousands of people have gathered there. Evacuation is difficult. Special trains have been organized to evacuate people from this strategically important and, of course, vulnerable place," Pashkov explained.

He also mentioned that the country's top military and political leadership is located in a fortified bunker that was specially prepared and recently put into operation for such crisis situations.

Although there are currently no air raid sirens sounding in Israel, the population is taking preventive measures.

"The shelters have already been prepared, and residents have stocked up on everything they need. Everyone knows what should be in a shelter - water and other essential items," Pashkov concluded.

According to Israeli media , the Director General of the Ministry of Health has ordered all hospitals to go on maximum alert, which includes moving to secure bunkers and underground fortifications.

Hospitals have temporarily suspended outpatient appointments and scheduled surgeries. Health insurance funds and Tipat Halav clinics have also stopped accepting patients, except for cases requiring urgent medical care, such as dialysis.

The Ministry of Health has instructed hospitals to discharge patients whose condition does not require further hospital stay. They will be sent home or to long-term care facilities.

Israel's Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, announced the call-up of tens of thousands of conscripts. Speaking to Israeli citizens, he stressed that he could not guarantee an unconditional victory, warning that "the Iranian regime will certainly take retaliatory action, and the potential losses could be higher than what we are accustomed to."

By 10 a.m. Moscow time, Iranian media reported that Shahed kamikaze drones had been launched to suppress Israeli air defenses. A salvo of 800 ballistic missiles from 72 sites across Iran, including underground launchers, is planned to follow.

On the night of June 13, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a statement in which he reported that Israel had carried out “an independent action against Iran.”

According to his statement, the American administration did not take part in this operation and does not consider itself a party to the conflict. Washington also conveyed a warning to Tehran about the inadmissibility of retaliatory strikes on American troops and facilities.

Rubio stressed in his official speech that Israel assured the United States that the operation was necessary for self-defense purposes.

He also confirmed that the American side was informed in advance about Israel's plans, but did not participate in their implementation. According to Rubio, the main priority for the United States is to ensure the safety of American troops in the region.

The Secretary of State also said that President Trump and his administration have taken all necessary steps to protect their troops and are in constant communication with regional partners.

The New York Times also reported that Donald Trump and his inner circle were aware of the impending attack.

In his statement, Rubio issued a clear warning to Tehran: "I want to be clear: Iran must not target American interests or personnel."

In recent days, multiple Israeli military sources have claimed that the threat from Iran has reached a critical point and the window of military opportunity may soon close.

Rubio's statements suggest Washington is trying to simultaneously maintain its alliance with Israel and avoid direct involvement in a possible retaliatory attack by Iran. Senior Pentagon officials have previously expressed concern about the potential for the conflict to widen in the region.

Meanwhile, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Israel's actions were impossible without the consent and support of the United States. Therefore, "the American government, as the main patron of this regime, is also responsible for the risky consequences of these actions."

On April 21, 2025, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between Russia and Iran entered into force. Since that date, Moscow and Tehran have been allies in the defense sphere.

Main provisions of the agreement:

At this time (10 a.m. Moscow time), there have been no statements from the Russian authorities regarding the attack on Iran.