Iran Vows Retaliation as President Pezeshkian Addresses Nation After Israeli Strikes

Iran entered a new and volatile phase on Sunday as President Masoud Pezeshkian delivered a defiant national address following a wave of Israeli strikes that reportedly killed top Iranian leaders.

Speaking on state television, Pezeshkian vowed that Iran's armed forces would intensify their response. He declared that military bases belonging to Iran's enemies would be targeted and described the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a moment of martyrdom shaped by years of struggle.

Ahmadinejad Reportedly Among the Dead

In a dramatic development, media reports claimed that former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Tehran. The strike allegedly hit a building where he was present along with advisers and security personnel.

Some reports indicated that members of his security detail were linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The building, located in Tehran's northeastern Narmak district, was heavily damaged. Videos circulating online showed debris and destruction, though official confirmation on casualties remains limited.

Israel Broadens Military Campaign

Israel signaled that its operations are far from over. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it struck key Iranian military assets, including the Basij headquarters and infrastructure near Tabriz airport.

According to Israeli statements, at least two Iranian fighter jets - F-5 and F-4 models - were destroyed as they prepared for takeoff. The IDF said the objective was to weaken Iran's air capabilities and expand the degradation of its air defense systems.

Israel also released footage it said showed precision strikes on Khamenei's compound in Tehran, describing the broader mission as "Operation Roaring Lion."

Netanyahu: "As Long As Necessary"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear that the campaign would continue. In a public address, he accused the Iranian regime of spreading instability across the region, supporting armed proxies and pursuing nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu argued that Israel's actions are aimed at eliminating long-standing security threats, adding that the Middle East has lived under the shadow of Iranian influence for decades.

Region on Edge

With Iran vowing retaliation and Israel expanding its strikes, the conflict has entered one of its most dangerous stages. Leadership losses, military escalation and hardened rhetoric on both sides have intensified concerns that the confrontation could widen beyond the two nations, pulling more regional actors into the crisis.