Shanghai Cooperation Organization condemns Israeli strikes on Iran

Two Iranian police officers were killed in a drone strike on Saturday during a reconnaissance and intelligence operation in western Iran, local authorities said.

Habibollah Akbaryan, a major and head of public security police in Asadabad, and Second Lieutenant Amirhossein Seifi were killed in the attack, which occurred in Hamadan province, according to the provincial police commander.

Senior Revolutionary Guard commander Esmail Kowsari said on Saturday that Iran is considering closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz in response to ongoing hostilities and would make “the best and most decisive decision.”

“We have many options to retaliate against the enemy, and military responses are only part of our measures,” said Kowsari, who is also a member of the parliament.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global oil transit route.

Israel’s recent airstrikes on Iran, which targeted nuclear sites and key military figures, suggest a dual objective: not only delaying Tehran’s nuclear program but also aiming to destabilize the Islamic Republic establishment, a Reuters analysis said.

The attacks struck Iran’s nuclear facilities at Esfahan and Natanz, missile factories, senior military commanders, and nuclear scientists, dealing a blow to both Iran’s military capabilities and its regional prestige.

Reuters interprets the targeting of senior officials as an attempt to undermine the security apparatus supporting Iran’s leadership.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly addressed the Iranian people, urging them to rise up, echoing past Israeli operations that contributed to political shifts in Lebanon and Syria.

However, experts caution that deep-rooted opposition to Israel within Iran and strong internal security forces make overthrowing the government uncertain. Analysts also say Israel lacks the capability to fully dismantle Iran’s nuclear program alone and may rely on prolonged strikes and potential US cooperation.

Three Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in Israeli airstrikes, Iranian media reported Saturday, following Israel’s attacks across the country.

Ali Bokaei Karimi, Mansour Asgari, and Saeed Borji were named by Iranian outlets as the victims.

Their deaths follow earlier reports by the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency that six other nuclear scientists were also killed.

Israeli military officials said Saturday that nine senior Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in the attacks.

Israeli military officials said on Saturday that Israel has attacked more than 150 targets across Iran using hundreds of munitions, including significant strikes on two nuclear sites, Reuters reported.

An Israeli military spokesperson said the aerial route to Tehran is "effectively open," indicating enhanced operational reach over Iranian airspace.

Iran fired around 200 ballistic missiles towards Israel in four barrages, he added.

He added that nine senior nuclear Iranian scientists were killed in the attacks.

The officials confirmed that the Esfahan and Natanz nuclear facilities sustained substantial damage, and repairs at both sites are expected to take several weeks. Israel has not yet operated in Fordow nuclear facility, he added.