An Israeli security source revealed that Mossad commandos operated in Iran prior to the strikes. The source stated that Mossad and the Israeli military conducted a series of covert operations against Iran's strategic missile systems. Israeli media outlets quoted the source on Friday, confirming that Mossad had carried out three separate operations in Iran.

He revealed details of the three operations, saying: “Mossad commando units worked in central Iran, deploying precision-guided weapons systems in open areas near Iranian surface-to-air missile systems.”.

He added that with the start of the Israeli attack, and in parallel with the air force attacks throughout Iran, these systems were trained and activated, and precision missiles were launched directly at the targets all at once and with high accuracy.

He noted that in another operational campaign to thwart Iranian air defense capabilities that threatened Israeli fighter jets, Mossad secretly deployed advanced attack systems and technologies on vehicles. With the launch of the surprise attack, the weapons were fired and completely destroyed the attack targets – the Iranian defense systems.

Regarding the third operation, the security source reported that Mossad had established an explosive drone base that had been infiltrated into the heart of Iran long before the Mossad agents’ attack, confirming that during the Israeli attack, the explosive drones were activated and launched at surface-to-surface missile (SGM) launch platforms located at the Ashfaqabad base near Tehran, which posed a threat to strategic targets and Israeli citizens.

Israel announced that it bombed Iran on Friday, targeting nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military leaders, in what it warned would be a lengthy operation to prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Iranian media and eyewitnesses reported explosions, including at the main Natanz uranium enrichment facility, while Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of missile and drone strikes launched by Iran.

Iranian state television announced the death of Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami and that the Guard's headquarters in Tehran had been bombed. It added that several children were killed in an airstrike on a residential area in the capital.

The deaths of Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Revolutionary Guard commander Gholam Ali Rashid, and two senior nuclear scientists in the raids were confirmed.

Television said that the death of Major General Gholam Ali Rashid had been confirmed, while the Tasnim news agency reported that nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi had been targeted and killed.

In a statement, the Israeli military announced it had killed three senior Iranian military commanders, including the chief of staff of the armed forces and the commander of the Revolutionary Guard. American media outlets reported the death of Ali Shamkhani, an advisor to the Iranian Supreme Leader, from his wounds.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video message, "We are experiencing a defining moment in Israel's history." He added, "Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to defeat the Iranian threat to Israel's existence. This operation will continue for days to eliminate this threat.".

He confirmed that Israel targeted Iranian scientists working on building a nuclear bomb, Iran’s ballistic missile program, and the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, in an operation that would last for days.

Iranian state media reported that six nuclear scientists were killed in the Israeli attack.

The Tasnim News Agency announced the names of the six scientists: Abdul Hamid Manouchehr, Ahmad Reza Dolfaghari, Amir Hossein Faghihi, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, Fereydoon Abbasi, and Motalebi Zadeh.

For his part, an Israeli military official revealed that Israel had struck "dozens" of nuclear and military targets. He added that Iran possesses enough material to produce 15 nuclear bombs within days, according to him.

Sabotage operations inside Iran

For its part, the American website Axios quoted a senior Israeli official as saying: “In addition to the intensive air raids, the Israeli intelligence agency (Mossad) led a series of covert sabotage operations inside Iran. These operations targeted the destruction of Iranian strategic missile sites and its air defense capabilities.”.

Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv was closed until further notice, and Israeli air defense units were placed on high alert in anticipation of an Iranian response.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said in a statement, “Following the preemptive strike launched by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the near future.” Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced the mobilization of tens of thousands of soldiers, adding, “We are in the midst of an unprecedented, historic campaign. This is a decisive operation to prevent an existential threat from an enemy determined to destroy us.”.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Israel acted unilaterally because it believed the operation was necessary for self-defense.

He added in a statement, “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We were not involved in the strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.” Meanwhile, the White House announced that US President Donald Trump would convene a National Security Council meeting Friday morning.

Crude oil prices jumped after the strike on Iran negatively impacted global stocks and drove investors to safe-haven assets.

US and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran's uranium enrichment program in Oman on Sunday, according to officials from both countries and Omani mediators, but the talks appear to have reached an impasse.