Iran’s new Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Mohammad Pakpour has vowed to unleash “the gates of hell” on Israel following the assassination of his predecessor Hossein Salami, as missile attacks and airstrikes escalate tensions between the bitter enemies.
At a Glance
- Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have claimed responsibility for attacks on Israeli targets in retaliation for the killing of their commanders and scientists
- Mohammad Pakpour, newly appointed IRGC Commander, promised that “the gates of hell will soon be opened upon this child-killing regime”
- Israel has launched airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting threats that “nowhere in Israel will be safe”
- Seven people were reported injured in central Israel following missile attacks from Iran
- International concerns grow as Russian President Putin condemned Israel’s actions while the IAEA plans an extraordinary meeting
Escalating Military Exchanges
Iran and Israel have engaged in direct military confrontation following Israel’s targeted strike that killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leader Hossein Salami. The Iranian military responded with missile attacks that injured seven people in central Israel, while Israeli defense systems have been actively intercepting incoming projectiles. Israel’s military instructed its citizens to seek shelter as tensions reached unprecedented levels in the decades-long shadow conflict between the two regional powers.
The confrontation has expanded beyond conventional military targets, with reports emerging of explosions near Iran’s sensitive Fordow nuclear site amid ongoing Israeli strikes. Israeli forces have reportedly targeted multiple facilities across Iran, while Tehran’s military claimed to have downed an Israeli fighter jet and detained its pilot—a claim promptly denied by the Israeli military as propaganda designed to bolster domestic support.
Israel Strikes Iran’s Nuclear and Military Leadership: Region on Brink of Wider War
In the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel launched a large-scale, coordinated attack on Iran, targeting its nuclear facilities, missile manufacturing sites, and senior military… pic.twitter.com/BhZGWvxnIF
— RE:PUBLIC PRESS (@REPUBLICPRESS_) June 13, 2025
Iran’s New Leadership Vows Revenge
Mohammad Pakpour, newly appointed as IRGC commander following Salami’s death, has issued stark warnings that signal Iran’s intention to escalate its response. In a statement carried by Iran’s state news agency IRNA, Pakpour declared that the assassination would not go unanswered. The direct military exchange marks a significant shift from the proxy warfare both countries have historically preferred, raising alarms about regional stability.
“The gates of hell will soon be opened upon this child-killing regime,” said Mohammad Pakpour in a statement carried by Iran’s state news agency, IRNA.
Senior Iranian officials have doubled down on the threats, promising further retaliation against Israeli targets. One Iranian official bluntly stated that “nowhere in Israel will be safe” as the regime plots its response. Another official warned that Israel would “pay a high price” for killing Iranian commanders, scientists, and citizens, suggesting that Tehran views this as just the beginning of a prolonged campaign against Israeli interests.
Israeli Strikes Kill 3 Top Iranian Generals and Target Nuclear Sites
The most powerful generals in Iran were killed in the attack. Israel says it was a pre-emptive strike against Iran’s nuclear program.
June 13, 2025, 12:03 a.m. ET
Israel launched a stunning series of strikes… https://t.co/CYduW0a8YG pic.twitter.com/cgjMfWH22U
— SubX.News® (@SubxNews) June 13, 2025
International Reactions and Security Implications
The conflict has triggered swift international responses, with Russian President Vladimir Putin condemning Israel’s actions as violations of the UN Charter while urging diplomatic solutions regarding Iran’s nuclear program. British Foreign Minister David Lammy advised against travel to Israel and called for calm. The International Atomic Energy Agency has scheduled an extraordinary meeting to address concerns about nuclear facilities potentially being targeted in the strikes.
“Our revenge has just started, they will pay a high price for killing our Commanders, scientists and people,” warned one Iranian senior official.
The conflict’s timing has drawn interest in American political circles, with former President Donald Trump claiming his administration had prior knowledge of Israel’s plans to strike Iran. Meanwhile, current U.S. officials confirmed that the State Department had informed regional allies about Israel’s planned strike on Iran in advance, highlighting the complex web of international relationships affected by this escalation. Israel has also closed checkpoints to the Israeli-occupied West Bank, restricting Palestinian movement as security measures intensify.
