TEHRAN: Iran has threatened severe retaliation against Israel after a major Israeli airstrike early Friday reportedly killed top military and nuclear officials, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami.

Dubbed ‘Operation Rising Lion’ by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the strike is being seen as one of the most significant escalations between the two nations in years. Israeli sources claimed the operation targeted facilities linked to Iran’s ballistic missile and nuclear programs, which Netanyahu said posed an “imminent nuclear threat.”

Among the dead are Salami, a key anti-West military figure, Fereydoun Abbasi, head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, president of Islamic Azad University. The strike hit a location 225 km from Tehran, previously tied to cyberattacks against Israel.

Iran condemned the attack as an act of aggression that also struck civilian areas. Officials alleged that children were among the casualties, while the military confirmed that command-and-control centers were targeted.

IRGC sources called the strike a “declaration of war,” and military spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi vowed a “serious and painful response.”

Israel remains on high alert, with air traffic suspended and emergency measures in place. The U.S. has distanced itself from the operation, stating it was not involved and is focused on safeguarding its citizens.