JUST IN: IDF Confirms Striking Iranian Nuclear Camp In Preemptive Operation—-Israeli Defence Force (IDF) launched large-scale strikes against Iran on Friday, saying it had targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.
Iran promised a harsh response and Israel said it was working to intercept about 100 drones launched towards Israeli territory in retaliation.
But around 08;00 GMT, Israeli media said an order to citizens to remain near protected areas had been lifted, suggesting that most or all the drones had been neutralised.
The price of crude oil leapt on fears of retaliatory attacks on a major oil producing region, but then eased back somewhat.
An Israeli security source said Israeli Mossad commandos had operated deep inside the Islamic Republic before the attack and the Israeli spy agency and military had led a series of covert operations against Iran’s strategic missile array.
Israel also established an attack-drone base near Tehran, the source added. The military said it had carried out a large-scale strike against Iran’s air defences, destroying “dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers”.
Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions including at the main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz.
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Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps said its top commander, Hossein Salami, had been killed and state media reported the unit’s headquarters in Tehran had been hit. Several children were killed in a strike on a residential area in the capital, they said.
“We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a recorded video message.
“Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
He warned Israelis that they might have to remain in shelter for extended periods.
At the same time, Israel has limited Iran’s ability to retaliate by severely weakening its Middle East allies since the war in Gaza erupted in October 2023, assassinating top leaders of the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.
Some 200 Israeli fighter jets took part in the strikes, hitting more than 100 targets in Iran, military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said.
He told an online briefing Israel had been able to confirm that the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards and the commander of Iran’s Emergency Command had all been killed in the strikes.
Six Iranian nuclear scientists were killed, Iranian state media reported.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said there was no increase in radiation levels at the Natanz nuclear site, citing information provided by Iranian authorities.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Israel had “unleashed its wicked and bloody” hand in a crime against Iran and that it would receive “a bitter fate for itself”.
REGIONAL AIRSPACE EMPTIES, FLIGHTS CANCELLED
Airlines quit the airspace over Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan after the Israeli strikes, Flightradar24 data showed, with carriers diverting or cancel flights.
Israeli airlines El Al, Israir and Arkia said they were moving their planes out of Israel and Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was shut.
Dubai-based Emirates cancelled flights to and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Iran as Iran closed its airspace.
The United States, which was due to hold the latest round of talks with Iran on restricting its nuclear programme on Sunday, said it had had no part in the operation.
The global crude oil benchmark Brent blend was up more than 6% at $73.73 at 08:21 GMT, but well down from peaks around $78.
The National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company said oil refining and storage facilities had not been damaged and continued to operate.
Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of soldiers had been called up and “prepared across all borders”.
“We are amidst a historic campaign unlike any other. This is a critical operation to prevent an existential threat, by an enemy who is intent on destroying us,” he said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and that the United States was hoping to get back to the negotiating table, in an interview with Fox News after the start of the Israeli air strikes on Iran.
“We will see,” Fox News reporter Jennifer Griffin quoted Trump as saying in a post on X.
U.S. officials have repeatedly said that any new nuclear deal with Iran – to replace a 2015 accord between Tehran and six world powers from which Trump withdrew – must include a commitment to scrap enrichment, a potential pathway to developing nuclear bombs.
NUCLEAR TALKS WITH IRAN DUE ON SUNDAY
The Islamic Republic has repeatedly denied such intentions, saying it wants nuclear energy only for civilian purposes, and has publicly rejected Washington’s demand to scrap enrichment as an attack on its national sovereignty.
The IAEA’s Board of Governors on Thursday declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in almost 20 years.
Iran said in a statement that Israel’s “cowardly” attack showed why Iran had to insist on enrichment, nuclear technology and missile power.
The Israeli military said it had been forced to act by new intelligence information showing that Iran was “approaching the point of no return” in the development of a nuclear weapon.
But a source familiar with U.S. intelligence reports said there had been no recent change in the U.S. assessment that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon and that Khamenei had not authorised a resumption of the nuclear weapons programme that was shut in 2003.
Trump was convening a meeting the National Security Council on Friday morning, the White House said. He had said on Thursday that an Israeli strike on Iran “could very well happen” but reiterated his hopes for a peaceful resolution.
Iran’s armed forces spokesperson said Israel and its chief ally the United States would pay a “heavy price” for the attack, accusing Washington of providing support for the operation.
While the U.S. tried to distance itself from Israel’s attack, an Israeli official told public broadcaster Kan that Israel had coordinated with Washington.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. was not involved in the strikes and Tel Aviv had acted unilaterally for self-defence.
U.S. and Iranian officials are scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran’s escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday. A U.S. official said those talks were still due to proceed.
The attacks triggered sharp falls in stock prices in Asian trade, led by a selloff in U.S. futures. Israel’s shekel slid nearly 2%.
BREAKING: Ferran Torres the Hero as Spain Beat Argentina to Capture 2026 FIFA World Cup—-Substitute Ferran Torres struck the decisive extra-time winner as Spain edged defending champions Argentina 1-0 to lift their second FIFA World Cup title and complete a historic double as reigning men’s European and world champions.
Spain were crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Argentina 1-0 following extra time in a tense and tactical final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
After 90 minutes of relentless intensity failed to separate the two footballing giants, substitute Ferran Torres emerged as Spain’s hero, scoring the only goal of the match in the 106th minute to hand La Roja their second World Cup crown, 16 years after their maiden triumph in South Africa.
Luis de la Fuente’s side controlled much of the contest from the outset, dominating possession and creating the better opportunities against an Argentina team chasing back-to-back World Cup titles. Spain finished the match with 15 attempts on goal and won nine corners, while Lionel Scaloni’s men struggled to impose themselves in attack, failing to register a shot on target for long periods of the encounter.
Spain’s patient approach was finally rewarded early in extra time. Following sustained pressure around Argentina’s penalty area, Ferran Torres collected the ball inside the box before unleashing a powerful left-footed strike beneath the crossbar, leaving goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez with no chance and sending the Spanish supporters into wild celebrations.
Argentina’s task became even more difficult after midfielder Enzo Fernández was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time of normal time, forcing the reigning champions to play the remainder of the contest with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Argentina fought until the final whistle but were unable to break down Spain’s disciplined defence.
Goalkeeper Unai Simón produced another assured performance behind a well-organised back line marshalled by Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte, while Rodri once again dictated the tempo in midfield. Teenager Lamine Yamal also impressed throughout the tournament, capping a breakthrough World Cup campaign by helping Spain reach the summit of world football.
The victory crowns a remarkable era for Spanish football under Luis de la Fuente. Having already won UEFA Euro 2024 and the UEFA Nations League, Spain now add the FIFA World Cup to their growing list of honours, becoming world champions for the first time since 2010. The triumph also makes Spain the first nation to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles.
For Argentina, the defeat brought an end to their bid to retain the trophy they lifted in Qatar four years earlier. Lionel Messi and his teammates had reached the final after dramatic victories over England and Switzerland in the knockout rounds, but they were ultimately denied by a composed Spanish side whose consistency and tactical discipline proved decisive on football’s biggest stage.
BREAKING: Chelsea Reach Verbal Agreement for £117m Morgan Rogers Signature From Aston Villa—-The Blues have reportedly beaten Arsenal to the signing of Aston Villa star Morgan Rogers in a British-record £117 million deal, with the England international set for a medical before completing a long-term move to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement with Aston Villa to sign England international Morgan Rogers in a blockbuster deal worth £117 million, bringing them to the brink of completing one of the biggest transfers in Premier League history. The agreement, which is now being finalized, would make Rogers the most expensive English footballer ever if completed.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder is expected to undergo a medical on Monday before signing a six-year contract running until 2032, with Chelsea holding the option to extend the deal by a further year. Personal terms have already been agreed, with new head coach Xabi Alonso playing a pivotal role in convincing the player that Stamford Bridge was the right destination for the next stage of his career.
Arsenal had identified Rogers as one of their primary attacking targets this summer and were preparing to intensify negotiations with Aston Villa. However, Chelsea moved swiftly to secure a club-to-club agreement before the Gunners could submit a formal offer. Reports indicate that Rogers made it clear Chelsea was his preferred destination after discussions with Alonso and the club’s hierarchy.
Rogers arrives on the back of a sensational campaign for Aston Villa, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s standout performers. He registered 14 goals and 12 assists in 55 appearances across all competitions, helping Villa lift the UEFA Europa League and qualify for the UEFA Champions League. His impressive club form also earned him a key role in England’s run to the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The proposed £117 million fee surpasses Chelsea’s previous club-record signing of Moisés Caicedo and highlights the club’s determination to build a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title under Alonso. Rogers is expected to add versatility to Chelsea’s attack, with the ability to operate as a left winger, attacking midfielder or second striker.
For Aston Villa, the transfer represents a remarkable financial return. The Midlands club signed Rogers from Middlesbrough in 2024 for a fee that could rise to around £15 million, meaning they stand to make a profit of more than £100 million. Middlesbrough are also expected to benefit significantly through a sell-on clause included in the original transfer agreement.
While neither Chelsea nor Aston Villa has officially confirmed the transfer, all major terms are understood to have been agreed. Barring any late complications during the medical or final paperwork, Rogers is expected to become Chelsea’s marquee signing of the summer, with an official announcement anticipated in the coming days.
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