Israeli strikes on Iran kill Revolutionary Guard commanders, Tehran warns of retaliation

Saturday's Israeli airstrikes against military positions in Iran have resulted in significant casualties among the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Iranian semi-official news agencies. The ISNA news agency, citing an unidentified source, reported that the initial wave of attacks killed and wounded numerous IRGC personnel, including key operational commanders. The strikes mark one of the most substantial Israeli military actions against Iranian targets in recent years.

Attacks expand beyond capital

The Mehr news agency confirmed that explosions were not confined to Tehran, with successive strikes reported in the cities of Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah and Lorestan. This geographic spread suggests a coordinated campaign targeting Iran's military infrastructure across multiple provinces. Israeli media reports indicated that senior Iranian officials in Tehran were specifically targeted, though their status remains unclear as Iranian authorities have yet to release an official casualty count.

Israel signals prolonged campaign

Citing a security official, Israeli Channel 12 reported that Jerusalem is preparing for an initial four-day phase of intense joint operations against the Islamic Republic. The reported timeframe suggests Israel anticipates a sustained military campaign rather than a single retaliatory strike, raising concerns in capitals across the region about the potential for wider escalation.

Tehran issues stark warning

The Islamic Republic's leadership has already signaled its response. Ebrahim Azizi, who heads Iran's parliamentary National Security Committee, issued a forceful statement on the social media platform X: "We warned you! Now you have started down a path which end is no longer in your control." The warning reflects Tehran's position that it will not remain passive in the face of attacks on its territory and military personnel. As tensions mount, regional powers including Türkiye are closely monitoring developments that could destabilize the broader Middle East.