NAIROBI, Kenya — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Friday’s sweeping airstrikes on Iran were just the beginning of a broader offensive, calling them a “very successful opening strike” and vowing that “much more” is on the way.
In a video statement released Friday evening, Netanyahu doubled down on Israel’s decision to target Iran directly, revealing that the strikes had “hit the senior command, senior scientists working on atomic bombs, and nuclear facilities.”
The assault, which marked one of the most direct confrontations between the two longtime enemies, reportedly killed some of Iran’s top military leaders.
According to Iranian state TV, Mohammad Bagheri, the country’s armed forces chief, was killed in the strikes. Separately, Tasnim News Agency confirmed the death of Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Earlier on Friday, Netanyahu had already signaled that the campaign would be extended over “many days,” reinforcing concerns of a prolonged regional conflict with global implications.
The Israeli leader’s comments come amid growing international anxiety over a full-blown war between two nuclear-capable nations, just days after Iran launched 100 drones toward Israel in retaliation.
Most were intercepted, but the back-and-forth has prompted massive airspace closures, diplomatic stand-offs, and surging oil prices.
Netanyahu’s message was clear—and ominous: the war drums are beating louder, and Israel isn’t backing down.
