Israeli Attack Kills Commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guards

Iranian media, including IRNA and Mehr, reported the death of the Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Charles Lister, a senior researcher at the Middle East Institute in the United States, said Major General Mohammed Bagheri was also killed. Bagheri was the IRGC Chief of Staff.

Meanwhile, Tasnim Newsreported that the Israeli strike also killed Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi. They were senior scientists in Iran's nuclear development. Abbasi was once the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Agency. While Tehranchi was the rector of Islamic Azad University,

In a November 2020 attack in Tehran, Israel killed Mohzen Fahrizadeh, a senior scientist in Iran's nuclear development.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged that Israel attacked several homes in Tehran, the capital of Iran. He argued that these homes were residences of senior Iranian military officials.

In addition to settlements in Tehran, Israel is also targeting several locations in other provinces. In Isfahan, the center of Iran's nuclear development, several explosions were heard. The Natanz nuclear reactor has also been reported as a target of Israel.

The Iranian news agency IRNA reported that the sound of explosions and rumbling was heard within the city of Tehran and its surroundings. There have been no reports of damage or casualties resulting from the attack.

The Israeli attack occurred shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the Israeli military would strike Iran. Trump did not provide details of the attack plan. He merely mentioned that Israel was very likely to attack its arch-enemy.

Trump stated that the United States still desires a diplomatic route to negotiate the cessation of Iran's uranium enrichment program rather than resorting to military means. "We remain committed to a diplomatic resolution for the Iranian nuclear issue," he said on his Truth Social platform.

"My entire administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They can become a great nation, but they must first truly abandon their hopes of acquiring nuclear weapons," he added.

Israel attacks Iran amid deadlock in US-Iran talks. The sixth round of talks is scheduled to take place this Sunday in Oman.

The parties reaffirmed that their respective positions remain unchanged. The United States demands that Iran halt its uranium enrichment program. On the other hand, the United States continues to impose sanctions on the government and several business entities to pressure Tehran.

Meanwhile, Iran insists on continuing its uranium enrichment. Iran asserts that this is its right as a sovereign nation. Iran states that other countries are also developing nuclear weapons. In fact, like Israel, there is no oversight from any party whatsoever.

Israel, like the United States, does not want Iran to possess nuclear capabilities. In an interview with Israeli television station Channel 14 at the end of November 2024, Netanyahu emphasized this point. "I will do everything to prevent it (Iran) from becoming a nuclear (power). I will use all available resources," Netanyahu stated at that time.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Iran will continue its uranium enrichment. "Iran's nuclear knowledge is deeply rooted and cannot be eradicated by military actions. Even if they bomb our facilities, our capabilities reside in our minds. Whatever they destroy, we will rebuild," said President Pezeshkian.

The preemptive strike is believed to have been carried out alone by Israel. Several US media outlets reported that the US government would not participate in the strike.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the US government has moved a number of its military assets out of the Middle East and around Iran. The US has reportedly withdrawn one of its two aircraft carriers. In addition, the US is withdrawing B-2 bombers.

Since Wednesday, the US has ordered most of its civilians to leave the area around Iran. Only key diplomats

In addition, Washington has also ordered a number of its staff to leave its embassy in Iraq as well as military bases around the region.

Nevertheless, the United States can still assist Israel by providing intelligence or logistical support, especially if Iran retaliates against the attack. Other U.S. media, Axios, stated that Israel's single operation would be more limited.

This is because the Israeli Air Force does not have aircraft capable of carrying bunker-busting bombs. Such bombs are necessary to target the bunkers at the Fordow reactor in Iran.

Before Israel launched its attack, Iran resisted pressure from the United States and several other parties. The resistance was also directed towards the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA.

Several parties in Iran have published old documents regarding the relationship of Raffael Grossi, the Director General of the IAEA, with Israel. Less than 10 years ago, in his capacity as an Argentine diplomat, Grossi repeatedly communicated with Israeli officials. His focus was on disparaging Iran's nuclear program.

Another form of resistance by Iran was demonstrated through the announcement of the construction of new nuclear facilities. Iran also stated that it would reactivate old facilities in Natanz and Fordow. "The Islamic Republic of Iran has no choice but to respond to this political resolution," said the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran in a joint statement.

Iran announced this following the IAEA meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. During the meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, the IAEA stated that Iran violated regulations by not developing nuclear weapons.

Of the 35 members of the IAEA Board of Governors, 19 supported the draft resolution to condemn Iran. The draft was prepared by the United States in collaboration with the European trio of the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

In the past, the four countries were part of the Iran Nuclear Agreement, commonly known as the JCPOA. Agreed upon in 2015, the JCPOA approved the lifting of sanctions against Iran. In return, Iran agreed to have its nuclear program monitored and dismantled.

Iran has partially disarmed its nuclear facilities and allowed independent inspectors to inspect them, but sanctions have not been lifted.

In fact, at Netanyahu's urging, Trump withdrew the United States from the JCPOA in 2018. After that, the United States continued to impose additional sanctions on Iran. The European trio also has yet to lift sanctions against Iran. On the other hand, they continue to protest Iran's nuclear development.

Pressure continues to be exerted in various ways. The latest pressure is through a resolution at the IAEA this week.

The resolution urges Iran to provide an immediate response to the IAEA report. In its latest report, the IAEA monitors found several traces of uranium at various locations that Iran has not officially designated as its nuclear facilities.

The report on May 31, 2025, stated that inspectors found three out of four locations to be part of a structured nuclear program developed by Iran over the past two decades. These locations were not disclosed by Iran. Inspectors also discovered several activities involving undeclared nuclear materials.

At the government-owned television station, Iranian Atomic Energy Agency Spokesperson Behrouz Kamalvandi stated that Iran is not only revealing plans for new enrichment sites. Iran will also replace old centrifuge machines at the Fordow facility. "The production of enriched material will increase significantly," said Kamalvandi.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who is also the head of Iran's nuclear negotiation team, stated that the decision of the IAEA Board of Governors will complicate negotiations with the United States. (AP/AFP/Reuters)