Iran says its top commander killed in airstrikes

(Daily Caller News Foundation) – Iranian state media has confirmed that Israel killed the top Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander in major airstrikes targeting Iran on Thursday night, according to Reuters.

IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami was reportedly killed in the strikes targeting Iranian leadership, nuclear scientists and nuclear facilities in the Islamic Republic, according to Iranian state media reports reviewed by Reuters. Israel has declared a state of emergency in advance of possible retaliation from Iran.

Salami is a U.S.-designated terrorist.

Salami warned Israel hours before his death Thursday that Iran would launch major retaliatory actions against Israel should it decide to attack Iran, according to Alarabiya English.

Israel has reportedly targeted nuclear facilities across Iran, aiming to cripple the regime’s ambitions to potentially obtain nuclear weapons, according to CNN. The Israeli government has also reportedly begun the process to call up “tens of thousands” of soldiers to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

“Recent and past events of history have taught us that when the enemy is attempting to destroy us, we must not turn a blind eye. We need to fight for our existence, freedom was given to those willing to fight for it,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said in a statement, according to CNN.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a Thursday statement addressing the strikes, saying the U.S. had no involvement in the attacks and Israel acted unilaterally.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said. “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”

The State Department partially evacuated multiple U.S. military and diplomatic locations Wednesday around the Middle East ahead of the strikes.