Khamenei appoints new armed forces chief

Israel's military on Saturday signaled that its offensive against Iranian military infrastructure could extend over a prolonged period, describing the operation as a gradual campaign.

“We must prepare for a lengthy operation,” an Israeli military spokesman said, adding that the current phase of attacks is part of a broader plan designed to unfold in stages.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Friday confirmed the death of Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of its Aerospace Force.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday warned that Israel would "regret its foolish act," vowing a powerful and legitimate response following Israeli strikes on Iranian territory.

In a message to the nation, Pezeshkian called on Iranians to trust the country’s leadership and stand united. “Our response will be strong and calculated. Israel will face consequences that will make it regret its aggression,” he said.

"The Iranian nation and its officials will not remain silent in the face of this crime, and the legitimate and powerful response of the Islamic Republic of Iran will make the enemy regret its foolish act."

"Here, I call on the noble and courageous people of Iran to maintain their unity, solidarity, and empathy; to avoid paying attention to rumors and false information spread in the enemy’s psychological warfare; and to support and trust the authorities, so as to help the country pass through this situation as powerfully as possible."

At least 20 senior Iranian commanders, including the head of the revolutionary guards, Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, were killed in Israel's strikes on Iran on Friday, Reuters reported citing two regional sources.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said earlier that the strike had eliminated most of the IRGC's top aerospace leadership.

At least five people were killed and 12 others injured in Israeli strikes on the city of Tabriz, the capital of Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, a local official said on Friday.

Majid Farshi, head of the provincial crisis management department, told Iranian state media that several areas of the city were targeted in overnight attacks. Tabriz is located in northwestern Iran, near the country's border with Azerbaijan.