The Israeli military struck Iran’s nuclear and military complex on Friday, killing three top military officials and six other nuclear scientists.

Iran’s local media confirmed General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was caught in the attacks that rocked the country in the early hours of Friday.

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the country’s highest-ranking military officer and Iran’s former national security chief, Ali Shamkhani, were also killed in the attacks.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, in a statement confirmed the death of the top military officials, threatening “severe punishment” against Israel.

“Starting a war with Iran is playing with the lion’s tail,” the statement reads. “The world now better understands Iran’s insistence on the right to enrichment, nuclear technology and missile power, and the enemy has made it possible to prove our injustice and righteousness, who is the aggressor and which regime is threatening the security of the region.”

In a televised address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Iran as a threat to Israel, warning that the attacks will continue for more days.

“Moments ago, Israel launched operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” Mr Netanyahu said.

He added, “This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”

Israel’s attack on Iran comes ahead sixth round of nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran scheduled for Sunday. However, Friday’s attacks could disrupt and end nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.

Shortly after Israel attacked Iran on Friday, American President Donald Trump, in a series of posts on Truth Social, said, “Two months ago I gave Iran a 60-day ultimatum to ‘make a deal.” They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn’t get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!”

He added, “Certain Iranian hardliners spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. 

“Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, just do it before it is too late. God Bless You All!”