Iran vows harsh retaliation after Israeli strikes kill nuclear scientists and military leaders

Israel has launched major airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, killing top officials. Iran threatens retaliation as Ireland calls for restraint

Firefighters work the scene of an explosion at a residence compound in northern Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Israel has launched an attack on Iran aimed at “dozens” of targets including its nuclear facilities, military commanders and scientists, claiming it took unilateral action because Tehran had begun to build nuclear warheads.

As Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, threatened “severe punishment” against Israel, the Israeli military said on Friday morning that Iran had launched 100 drones aimed at Israel and that the country’s defences were focused on intercepting them.