TEHRAN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A loud and "terrifying" sound was heard near Nojeh Air Base in Kabudar Ahang, in Iran's western Hamedan province, the semi-official Mehr News Agency reported on Friday, amid escalating tensions following Israeli strikes on Iranian targets.
Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said the commander of its Aerospace Division, Amir-Ali Hajizadeh, was killed along with several members of his unit in what it described as a "terrorist" Israeli attack earlier in the day, according to the IRGC's official outlet, Sepah News.
Mehr also reported that Iranian fighter jets were seen flying over the northeastern city of Mashhad, though authorities have not issued any official statement explaining the flights.
Iran has been hit by a series of Israeli airstrikes since early Friday, with Iranian media reporting the deaths of several senior military officials and nuclear scientists, as well as damage to nuclear facilities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation aimed to cripple Iran's nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile production, and military capabilities. "This is a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival," Netanyahu said in a televised address, pledging that the campaign would continue "for as many days as it takes." However, Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons, and Israel offered no immediate proof of an imminent Iranian strike.
Iranian state media reported the deaths of several top commanders, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami, armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri, and Gholam Ali Rashid, head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. Two prominent nuclear scientists, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi, were also reported killed.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has appointed replacements for the slain military officials and vowed a forceful response, warning that Israel has "prepared a bitter fate for itself." Enditem
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