Iran airstrikes: 78 killed, 300 injured — Netanyahu calls for incitement to rebellion

Israel has carried out a devastating airstrike in Iran, killing at least 78 people and wounding nearly 300 others. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) carried out the attack simultaneously on at least eight cities, including Tehran, at around 4 am on Friday (June 13). The attack targeted Iran's military and nuclear facilities.

The international news agency AFP reported that at least 100 military facilities in Iran were damaged in the attack. Among the dead were Iran's Army Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and several high-ranking officials of the country's military.

The Iranian Defense Ministry has named the operation 'The Rising Lion', which it claims was taken as a preventive measure. Iranian authorities have called the attack a direct declaration of war and have announced a harsh retaliation.

Meanwhile, the night after the incident, Iran launched a counterattack inside Israel called ‘Operation True Promise Three’. In this, one Israeli was killed and at least 41 people were injured, two of whom are in critical condition.

In this heated situation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on the Iranian people to revolt in a video message on the social media X-A (formerly Twitter).

He said, “The time has come to bring down the evil and oppressive regime that has been sitting on your necks for the past few decades. Come under the shadow of your flag and historical legacy. Unite for freedom from oppressive rule, raise your voice. Seize the opportunity that has come before you.”

He also said, “The military operation we have launched in Iran is not against the people there. Our military operation is against Iran’s nuclear threat and missile threat.”

Analysts believe that this warlike situation could create widespread instability in the Middle East and its impact will be widely reflected in international politics. The United Nations, the European Union and Russia have already called on both sides to remain calm.