Khamenei vows to leave Israel ‘helpless’ as Iran fires missiles in retaliation for strikes

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday condemned Israel’s overnight strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and senior military commanders, vowing that Iran’s armed forces would render Israel “helpless” — as Tehran launched a barrage of missiles in retaliation.

“Our Armed Forces will act powerfully and create a miserable situation for the wicked Zionist regime,” Tehran Times quoted Khamenei as saying in a televised address on Friday night.

Khamenei emphasised that the Israeli actions had crossed a red line and said that Israel “will not remain unscathed”, and that Tehran “will not go for half measures in its response”.

The remarks come after Israel launched a significant military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and key military figures, an action that has escalated tensions in the region.

Iran has already initiated retaliatory measures, including launching over 100 drones and missiles towards Israel, which were intercepted by Israeli defence systems.

Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as sirens sounded on Friday night across Israel following what the country’s military spokesman said was the firing of missiles from Iran.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA said hundreds of ballistic missiles had been launched in retaliation for Israel’s biggest ever attacks on Iran, blasting Iran’s huge underground nuclear site at Natanz and wiping out its top military commanders.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries.

“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel,” Israel’s military said in a statement, adding the public should enter protected shelters “and remain there until further notice”.

Meanwhile, Iranian state television also confirmed that the country’s forces launched “missile attacks” at Israel on Friday, in response to a wave of Israeli attacks on its territory.

The announcement of the “start of Iranian missile attacks” on state TV, confirming earlier reports, came shortly after a televised speech by Khamenei.

On Friday, Israel executed a large-scale military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear and military facilities.

The strikes, involving warplanes and drones, resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The Israeli military confirmed the elimination of at least six senior commanders and nine nuclear scientists. Key targets included the Natanz and Fordo uranium enrichment facilities.

The operation was reportedly planned over several months and aimed at halting Iran’s advancing nuclear programme.

The United States, while not directly involved, had been informed of the impending Israeli strikes.

President Donald Trump reiterated his warning to Iran, stating that failure to negotiate a nuclear deal would result in “even more brutal” attacks.

The international community has expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions, with calls for de-escalation and renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent further conflict.

With inputs from agencies