Israeli military strikes carried out early Friday reportedly resulted in the death of one of Iran’s most senior military leaders, according to Iranian state media.
Tasnim, a semi-official Iranian news agency, announced that “He was killed in a strike by the Zionist regime,” referring to Major General Hossein Salami, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps.
Although unverified, multiple sources claimed that Fereydoon Abbasi, a nuclear scientist and former chief of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, was also among the dead. Abbasi had previously survived an Israeli-attributed assassination attempt over a decade ago.

Though not a news outlet, Chaim V’Chessed is providing essential updates on how the developing conflict is impacting schools, travel, and government services in Israel. Following the beginning of Israel’s attack on Iran, here is what you need to know in the immediate future: Schools Closed: All schools across Israel are closed today, Friday, June 13. Airspace Shut Down: Israeli airspace has been closed, and all flights have been canceled until further notice. Flights en route to Israel are being rerouted to alternate destinations. Travel Disruptions Expected: Travelers should anticipate continued disruptions for several days. Reports indicate that El Al planes on the ground in Israel are currently being flown out to other countries for safety.

Ayatollah Khamenei YM”S, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has issued his first statement in response to the Israeli military and intelligence operations within Iranian territory. “The Zionist regime has opened its dirty and bloody hand to commit a crime in our beloved country at dawn today, and has revealed its evils more than ever before by targeting residential areas. This regime must expect severe punishment. The strong hand of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not abandon it, God willing. A number of leaders and scientists were martyred in the enemy’s attacks, and their successors and colleagues will return to their positions immediately, God willing.

Israel has launched a major military action against Iran, designed to disable the Iranian nuclear threat. Iranian retaliation is expected. Rachmana litzlan!
As we all understand, these are extraordinary times. Let us gather together in our batei knesios, batei medrashos, and homes to pour out our hearts in fervent tefila to the Shomer Yisroel that He protect the yoshvei Eretz Yisroel and all of Klal Yisroel from the evil designs of our enemies.
And, as the footsteps of Moshiach get louder and louder, let us recall our mandate to be metzapim lyshua, yearning for the ultimate redemption, may the Go’el Tzedek arrive speedily in our days!
{Matzav.com}

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement in response to Israel’s launch of Operation Rising Lion, a military offensive aimed at Iranian targets.
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,” he said.

The IDF’s surprise launch of massive operations against the Iranian regime and its nuclear facilities has already resulted in the deaths of numerous top Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists.  The operation, codenamed “Am KeLavi” (Operation Rising Lion), targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military infrastructure across multiple sites, including Tehran, Natanz, Khondab, and Khorramabad. The operation, supported by coordinated Mossad sabotage missions, aims to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program and eliminate key military and scientific figures, according to Israeli and Iranian sources. Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of several high-ranking officials and scientists in the strikes.

The NYPD says it is deploying additional resources to Jewish and Israeli sites across New York City as a precautionary measure amid Israel’s relentless strikes deep inside Iran.

New York Mayor Eric Adams confirms that he is being briefed on the unfolding Israel vs. Iran situation, and is deploying resources to protect Jewish and Israeli sites

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious and Most Merciful The great nation of Iran! At dawn today, the Zionist regime opened its dirty and bloody hand to crime in our beloved country and exposed its evil nature more than ever by attacking residential centers. The regime must expect severe punishment. The strong hand of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic will not abandon it, God willing. In the enemy attacks, a number of commanders and scientists were killed. Their successors and colleagues will immediately return to their posts, God willing… With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter and painful fate, and it will certainly accept it.”