Preventive strike against Iran: What we know – and what not

Israel started with a major attack on Iranian cities and nuclear facilities at night. The Israeli Minister of Defense Israel Katz spoke of a « preventive strike », Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of a « successful opening ». In Tehran, explosions could be heard in the early morning. What is known so far – and what is not.

What we know

The attacks: Shortly before the day of the day, Iranian state media reported several explosions around the capital Tehran. Subsequently, Israel’s army confirmed attacks in Iran. Iran’s nuclear program was attacked. It is « a preventive, precise, combined offensive ». In addition to the nuclear program, other military goals are also said to have been attacked. Tehran had repeatedly been shaken by explosions in the course of the morning. It should be several waves of attack by Israel’s military in Iran.

Victim: The commander of the mighty revolutionary guard, Major General Hussein Salami, was killed in an attack on the headquarters of the High Command of the Revolutionary Guard, reported the Tasnim news agency. The revolutionary guards are Iran’s elite riding power. General chief of staff Mohammed Bagheri is also dead. The agency Tasnim also confirmed the killing of two known scientists.

Places: In addition to the attacks in the Iranian capital Tehran, the country’s nuclear facilities were also hit-the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) calls one of the most important Iranian nuclear facilities: The uranium enrichment facility in Natans is « under the goals, » said IAEA boss Rafael Grossi. State television in Iran reported about smoke at the nuclear facility.

More Israeli attacks: Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the attacks as a « opening strike » in the early morning. He also said: « This operation will continue as many days as it takes to eliminate this threat. »

Iranian counter -strike: Iran’s head of state Ajatollah Ali Chamenei threatens Israel in response to the big attack with retaliation. Israel had to expect « hard punishment », the religious leader was quoted in a message from his office.

What we don’t know

Effects: Although Iran threatened with a hard reaction to Israel’s approach, it is not known what precise consequences the nightly attacks on the entire region will have. There is great concern about a massive escalation in the Middle East. Last year, Israel and Iran have been on the edge of an open war. According to media reports, Israel assumes that possible fights with Iran could pull over at least two weeks.

Victim: Iran’s authorities reported victims and damage in large parts of the country. How many people – including civilians – have died or injured by the major attack, has not yet been known. Iranian media showed pictures of destroyed house facades in Tehran. In videos you could see how rescue workers search for buried.

Other goals of the attacks: The exact extent of the attacks is not yet known. It was also unclear whether further systems in the nuclear program were actually made in addition to the nuclear system in Natan and if so, which.