Israel confirms killing Iranian military leader Saeed Izadi in Qom airstrike
Israel on Saturday announced it had taken out Saeed Izadi, a high-ranking figure in Iran’s Quds Force, in an airstrike targeting an apartment in Qom. The strike, described by Israel as a major intelligence win, was aimed at punishing Izadi for his alleged role in arming Hamas before the October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
While Iranian state outlets confirmed five IRGC deaths in separate strikes, they didn’t officially name Izadi. However, Western nations had already placed sanctions on him due to his role in militant operations across the region.
Israeli Missiles Hit Iran Nuclear Sites as Iran Hits Back
Beyond the Qom strike, Israeli jets also targeted missile depots and infrastructure near Iran’s nuclear plant in Isfahan. Although authorities say no dangerous leaks were detected, panic rippled through the region. Another airstrike in Qom also killed a 16-year-old and injured others, sparking anger among locals.
On the other side, Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks. Several were intercepted, but one reached Holon near Tel Aviv, igniting fires and forcing evacuations. Former Iranian security chief Ali Shamkhani confirmed surviving an Israeli attack, warning Tel Aviv not to underestimate Iran’s reach.
In Geneva, where Iran was meeting with European powers, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed any talks with the U.S. as long as Israel kept bombing. Iran’s position is that diplomacy cannot happen while “aggression continues.”
Back in the U.S., President Donald Trump said he believed Iran was “weeks or months” away from a nuclear weapon. He dismissed advice from his intelligence team, saying action might be needed. “It’s hard to stop someone who’s winning,” Trump said, signalling readiness to join the conflict if Israel asks.
The human toll is climbing fast. Iranian health officials report 639 dead from Israeli airstrikes, including scientists and soldiers. Hospitals have been hit too—three bombed, with one child and two medics killed. Six ambulances were also struck.
Meanwhile, Iran’s attacks on Israel have left 24 civilians dead, and a missile recently hit a hospital in Beersheba. Reports also show 15 Iranian air defence personnel killed in strikes since June 13.
The UN Security Council remains deeply divided. Iran’s ambassador warned of “dire consequences” if the U.S. joins the war. Russia and China are pushing for immediate de-escalation, while Israel’s envoy insists strikes won’t stop until Iran’s nuclear threat is dismantled.
In the chaos, hundreds of U.S. nationals have already evacuated Iran, according to leaked State Department reports.
In Tel Aviv, the war has changed daily life. A Filipino migrant family was photographed spending the night in a recommissioned nuclear shelter, underscoring just how deep the fear has run.
Despite the tension, a senior Iranian source told Reuters that Iran might still consider restrictions on uranium enrichment, but would not stop nuclear work altogether, especially under attack.
“We’re still open to talking, but not under Israeli fire,” the official said.
As diplomacy fails and the air war continues, experts fear a wider regional conflict could soon break out, with no clear path to peace in sight.
