Israel Kills Top Iranian Quds Force Commander as Airstrikes Target Iran’s Nuclear Facilities
Middle East Tensions Escalate as Iran and Israel Exchange Missile and Drone Strikes
Israel confirmed on Saturday that it killed a senior commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force during a major wave of airstrikes targeting Iranian missile installations and a nuclear facility near Isfahan. The military operation marks a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two regional powers.
The targeted commander, Mohammed Said Izadi, played a key role in overseeing Iran’s network of proxy militias across the Middle East and had direct links to Hamas. According to Israeli officials, Izadi was also one of the few informed in advance about the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which ignited the current war in Gaza.
Iran Responds with Ballistic Missiles and Drones
In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones toward Israeli territory early Saturday, triggering air raid sirens throughout Israel’s densely populated regions. No casualties were immediately reported.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their Saturday airstrikes specifically targeted missile sites and nuclear infrastructure deep inside Iran. The extent of damage remains unclear, though Israel says these strikes have pushed Iran’s nuclear capabilities back by at least two to three years, according to Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.
Nuclear Tensions Rise Amid Calls for De-escalation
Israel’s top military leadership has warned of a “prolonged campaign” as the conflict enters its ninth day. Despite mounting international pressure for a ceasefire, including a failed European diplomatic mission, neither side has shown signs of stepping back.
Iran maintains that its nuclear program is purely peaceful, but Israel views any advancement toward weaponization as an existential threat. Notably, Israel has not yet targeted Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility, which is buried deep underground and requires heavy U.S. military involvement to be destroyed.
Will the U.S. Join the Conflict?
All eyes are now on President Donald Trump, who may choose to intervene militarily by sending U.S. bombers to strike Iran’s Fordo facility. Such a move would dramatically escalate the conflict and could provoke direct Iranian retaliation against U.S. troops stationed across the Middle East.
Street Protests Erupt Across the Region
As the violence intensifies, anti-Israel and anti-U.S. protests broke out in Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, with demonstrators burning American and Israeli flags. Videos from Tehran show massive crowds taking to the streets following Friday prayers, expressing outrage over the Israeli strikes.
Key Takeaways:
- Israel killed Mohammed Said Izadi, a senior commander in Iran’s Quds Force.
- Iran fired ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli cities in response.
- European diplomatic talks to end the conflict failed to yield results.
- Israel aims to delay Iran’s nuclear weapons capability by 2–3 years.
- Potential U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s Fordo nuclear site could spark wider war.
