Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Iran’s missile attack, a response to Israeli air raids, targeted “civilian population centers.”
Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, declared that Iran’s response to Israeli air strikes had “crossed red lines,” and promised Iran would pay “a very heavy price” for its actions.
Iran launched a significant missile attack on Friday in retaliation for earlier Israeli air strikes that targeted military and nuclear facilities within Iran. Iranian media reported that “hundreds” of projectiles were launched at Israel in multiple waves.
The Israel Defense Forces, however, reported that fewer than 100 ballistic missiles were fired at Israel in two barrages.
Israeli medical authorities reported that at least 35 people were injured in the Iranian attack, with one woman in critical condition. Tel Aviv appeared to be a primary target, with Israeli authorities confirming at least seven impact sites within the city.
According to Ynet News, Katz stated, “Iran crossed red lines when it dared to fire missiles toward civilian population centers in Israel. We will continue to defend Israel’s citizens and ensure that the ayatollahs’ regime pays a very heavy price for its criminal actions.” He did not announce any specific retaliatory measures.
Iranian authorities stated that the Israeli strikes on Friday resulted in the deaths of Major General Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.
Several media outlets have reported additional fatalities of high-ranking Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists. Tehran condemned the attacks as “blatant aggression” and vowed a “crushing” response.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, accused Israel of initiating a “war” and stated that Tehran would not “allow them to escape unscathed from this great crime.”
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