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Israeli spies succeeded in penetrating deep into Iranian territory ahead of Friday morning’s Operation Rising Lion, executing a series of clandestine missions that weakened Iran’s missile infrastructure and disrupted its aerial defense systems.

Mossad agents covertly transported weapons into Iran, where they were used to dismantle military defenses that posed a threat to Israeli forces and strategic interests.

According to Israeli security sources, the agents deployed “significant measures” involving large amounts of specialized weaponry, strategically placing them throughout the country to strike predetermined targets.

“Significant intelligence was gathered and surveillance was conducted to incriminate senior members of the Iranian defense establishment and nuclear scientists who were eliminated,” the source stated. “This was carried out alongside a covert operational campaign targeting Iran’s strategic missile array.”

The secret missions unfolded in parallel with Israel’s aerial assault, divided into three distinct operations, each focusing on specific components of Iran’s defense and weapons infrastructure.

Special forces units placed precision-guided munitions in close proximity to Iran’s surface-to-air missile installations, directing attacks at those systems.

In a separate phase, technological strike equipment was mounted onto vehicles, which were then used to launch targeted attacks against Iranian air defense units.

The third element of the operation focused on Iran’s surface-to-surface missile arsenal, striking a key site located near Tehran.

Drones packed with explosives had been smuggled into Iran and hidden in key locations. When activated, these unmanned aircraft flew to the missile base and successfully destroyed launchers that, according to Israeli intelligence, had “posed a threat to Israeli strategic and civilian targets.”

These coordinated sabotage missions paved the way for Israeli fighter jets to take out critical radar systems and additional surface-to-air defenses.

Key nuclear installations, including uranium enrichment sites, were also among the targets of the broader operation.

In the course of the mission, three senior Iranian military officials were reportedly killed, along with two nuclear scientists.

Those killed include Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s top military officer; and Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to the supreme leader.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF has released a detailed graphic highlighting the sites targeted in Iran.

In light of the current matzav, the chief rabbis and the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas have issued a call, providing guidance on how to conduct ourselves during these perilous times and stressing the need for complete adherence to the instructions of the security establishment.

In their letter, the gedolim ruled that all tefillos b’tzibbur in batei knesses must be suspended. Under the heading “Eis tzarah hee l’Yaakov u’mimenu yivoshea”, and invoking the posuk, “Ki savo’u milchamah b’artzechem al hatzar hatzorer es’chem…vaharei’osem b’chatzotzros, unizkartem lifnei Hashem Elokeichem venoshatem mei’oyveichem”, they called upon the tzibbur to increase their tefillos this Shabbos. They specified the recitation of kappitlach Tehillim 20, 121, and 130, and Avinu Malkeinu.

The letter makes it clear: “There should be no gatherings in open areas or in buildings,” which means that batei knesses across Eretz Yisroel should remain closed this Shabbos and people are to daven in their homes.

The Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas added a moving plea to “be marbeh tefillah u’techinah to Avinu shebaShomayim, that He should have rachamim on His am segulah … and that our chayalim succeed in their shlichus kodesh and return home safely.”

They also emphasized that “it is obvious that every directive of the government … must be strictly followed,” clearly stating that tefillos in batei knesses should not take place if they are not in line with security instructions.

The gedolei Yisroel further underscored the unmatched power of limud haTorah, urging bnei hayeshivos “to strengthen themselves in hasmadah and ameilus baTorah, day and night, without any interruption, for it is the Torah hakedoshah that stands as our protection in times of sakanah.”

Rav Dov Landau, upon being updated last night on the evolving security situation, stated, “We are in a sha’as sakanah and must increase both limud haTorah and tefillah for the shemirah of Am Yisroel.” He immediately canceled a scheduled asifah of roshei yeshivah, took a sefer Tehillim in hand, and began to daven.

{Matzav.com}

Footage released by the IDF shows Israeli Air Force fighter jets and Israeli Navy missile boats shooting down drones launched from Iran earlier today.

The Mossad reveals footage showing its actions against Iranian air defenses and ballistic missile launchers in Iran this morning. The Mossad built a secret explosive drone base in Iran for this morning’s operation.

Israeli airstrikes have destroyed the Tabriz Airport in northwestern Iran.

Unable to respond meaningfully so far, Iran has released an AI-generated video threatening to topple Israel over its attacks.

Israel confirms targeting Iranian missile forces and destroying many of the ballistic missile assets. This likely explains the total lack of a retaliatory missile attack so far.

Fires and secondary explosions observed at the site of earlier Israeli Air Force airstrikes near Tabriz in Northwestern Iran, likely targeting IRGC-operated ballistic missile launch and storage facilities.

WATCH: Two Israeli aircraft seen flying at an extremely low altitude this morning over the Suwayda desert, in Syria.

Israeli airstrikes have targeted fuel depots near the airport area in the city of Tabriz, northwestern Iran.

In the wake of Israel’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, a powerful wave of hisorerus has swept through the olam haTorah, with urgent tefillos and Tehillim being recited in yeshivos and batei medrash across the globe.

At the forefront of the response is a directive from the Slabdoka rosh yeshiva, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch. In light of the escalating security situation, Rav Hirsch instructed that chaderim, yeshivos ketanos, and all other Torah institutions should remain closed until further notice, in compliance with the guidance of security authorities.

At Yeshivas Ponovezh, the mekubal Rav Yaakov Ades opened the Aron Kodesh in the early morning hours and cried out in heartfelt tefillah, joined by hundreds of bochurim learning in the beis medrash, who poured out their hearts in unison.

Similarly, at Yeshivas Chevron, the netz minyan was followed by the recital of Tehillim.

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israel intentionally disguised Thursday night’s high-level security cabinet session as one centered on hostage negotiations, all in an effort to mislead Iran ahead of a carefully timed military operation, a senior Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post on Friday.

The official explained that cabinet members were informed in advance that the meeting would deal with stalled efforts to free Israeli captives in Gaza. “The aim was to put Iran to sleep,” the source stated.

Once convened in the secure forum, the cabinet gave unanimous approval to the planned military strike. Every participating minister also signed a strict confidentiality agreement referred to as a Shomer Sod — “guardian of the secret.”

Only a small circle of insiders, including Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad chief David (Dedi) Barnea, and top security officials, were made fully aware of the operation’s scope and objectives.

In the lead-up to the mission, the Prime Minister’s Office orchestrated a coordinated effort to mislead the public and Tehran through a series of deliberate diversions:

• The vacation ploy: Netanyahu’s staff briefed the media that he was preparing to take a family vacation in the Galilee and would be attending his son Avner’s upcoming wedding, suggesting no major military action was on the horizon.

• A diplomatic distraction: The PMO released a statement claiming that Dermer and Barnea were heading to Washington to consult with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff as part of a “sixth round” of nuclear discussions between Iran and the U.S. in Oman — negotiations that don’t actually exist. In truth, both officials stayed in Israel.

• Controlled disinformation: For the first time, Netanyahu’s office declined to push back on fabricated media reports that described a disagreement between the prime minister and President Donald Trump over a possible military strike, a move designed to sow the perception of diplomatic discord and further reduce Iranian readiness.

These tactics played out alongside intensifying political tension within Israel over the IDF draft legislation and rumors about potential instability within the ruling coalition. “It was the perfect smoke screen,” said the senior official, who also confirmed that the U.S. government had been thoroughly informed behind the scenes despite the theatrics.

Channel 12’s Amit Segal noted on X that Trump had given Iran “60 days to reach a deal” on April 12. “Today is day 61,” he observed, suggesting that this deadline may have influenced Israel’s decision to act when it did.

Israeli defense experts believe that the operation’s success hinged on the element of surprise, which significantly enhanced its effectiveness. They say this tactical edge may now provide Israel with a critical buffer as Iran continues to move closer to achieving nuclear breakout capability.

{Matzav.com}

In an unusual move, Israel’s Mossad intelligence service made public striking video evidence of its clandestine operations within Iran. The video appears to capture two operatives launching missile attacks from Iranian soil as part of a broader Israeli campaign aimed at dismantling Iran’s missile infrastructure and defensive capabilities.

An Israeli source revealed that Mossad had quietly built a secret drone launch site inside Iran in preparation for the latest assault. From this covert location, explosive drones were sent to strike missile batteries close to Tehran, effectively hampering Iran’s capacity to respond once Israeli air raids began, the official stated.

As part of the wider mission, sophisticated weapons were covertly transported into Iran. These armaments were used to systematically disable elements of Iran’s air defense network, allowing Israeli jets to maneuver freely and dominate the airspace during the operation.

In another phase of the mission, Mossad operatives on Iranian soil strategically placed precision-guided weaponry near major air defense installations in central regions of the country. This step dealt another blow to Iran’s ability to defend against aerial attacks.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE:

The Israeli offensive struck multiple high-value targets across Iran, including its most prominent nuclear enrichment facility. Footage showed dark plumes of smoke rising from the site.

Speaking after the attack, Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu expressed his hope that the strikes would help usher in the end of Iran’s clerical regime. He emphasized that Israel’s conflict was not with the Iranian people, but with their oppressive leadership, saying the message to the Iranian public was against the “brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a strong reaction Friday following Israel’s strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, saying the Iranian regime had failed to finalize a deal despite repeated opportunities.

Posting on his Truth Social account, Trump wrote, “I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to ‘just do it,’ but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done. I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – And they know how to use it.”

Referring to the impact of Israel’s military operation, Trump added, “Certain Iranian hardliner’s 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.”

He urged Tehran to act quickly, warning of the consequences if they delay further: “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!”

In an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Thursday evening, Trump said he had been informed ahead of time about Israel’s strike, adding that while he had advance knowledge, the United States did not participate in the attack.

The President went on to say he still hoped negotiations with Iran could resume. “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back,” he said.

When asked how the U.S. would respond to a potential Iranian retaliation, Trump stated clearly, “We will defend Israel if necessary.”

On Truth Social, Trump doubled down on his call for diplomacy, reiterating his administration’s stance on resolving the nuclear issue through talks.

“We remain committed to a Diplomatic Resolution to the Iran Nuclear Issue! My entire Administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran. They could be a Great Country, but they first must completely give up hopes of obtaining a Nuclear Weapon. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” his post declared.

{Matzav.com}

The IDF confirmed Friday afternoon that it had carried out a strike on Iran’s Natanz nuclear complex earlier that morning, claiming the mission destroyed several subterranean levels of the site. Among the targets hit was the main hall housing a significant concentration of uranium-enriching centrifuges.

Reports also indicated that a second wave of strikes targeted the same site later that day, intensifying Israel’s offensive against Iran’s nuclear program.

According to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, Natanz is the most critical facility in Iran for enriching uranium. Unlike smaller installations, Natanz is capable of refining uranium to the high levels needed for nuclear weapons, not just for peaceful purposes.

The military said Natanz has been “operating for years to achieve nuclear weapons and contains the necessary infrastructure for military-grade enrichment.”

The initial strikes reportedly penetrated the underground portions of the site, specifically targeting a multi-level section used for enrichment processes. That area contains centrifuge halls, electrical systems, and other operational structures.

The Israel Air Force was also able to destroy “vital infrastructure” that the military described as essential to the facility’s ongoing nuclear development efforts and its overall ability to operate.

Natanz has seen previous incidents of sabotage. In July 2020, significant damage was inflicted on one of its nuclear buildings, and in April 2021, another strike reportedly affected underground systems and power grids. Iran has pointed the finger at the Mossad for those incidents.

It remains uncertain how the latest damage compares to those earlier attacks, though the impact from Friday’s operation appears to have been even more extensive.

While the IDF is believed to have the means to inflict damage at the heavily fortified Fordow nuclear site, no military sources have confirmed any operation there as of now.

Since the U.S. deployed the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb — also known as the “Mother of All Bombs” — in Afghanistan in 2017, it’s been clear that America maintains advanced bunker-busting capabilities far beyond what Israel currently possesses. This includes the ability to potentially reach deep underground facilities like Fordow.

What remains unclear is the extent to which Iran’s 60% enriched uranium stockpile or advanced centrifuges were affected by the Israeli assault. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has acknowledged that significant quantities of both are housed at Fordow and other scattered locations.

There were also unverified reports of explosions at Fordow and Isfahan. These blasts may have originated from within the facilities, as Iran’s nuclear infrastructure has been subject to internal sabotage in the past.

{Matzav.com Israel}

In an exclusive phone interview last night with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, President Donald Trump confirmed that he was informed ahead of Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, adding that the United States was not involved militarily in the operation but remains vigilant amid fears of Iranian retaliation.

Matzav.com reviewed the interview and shares some highlights:

“There were no surprises,” President Trump told Baier, making clear that while his administration was aware of the strikes before they began, the U.S. played no direct role. “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back.”

The pointed remark about “several people in leadership” was widely understood to reference senior Iranian officials who were reportedly killed in the strikes carried out by Israel earlier in the evening.

President Trump said that he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu multiple times over the past few days. According to U.S. administration sources, the Trump team also reached out to at least one key ally in the Middle East to notify them that the strikes were imminent and to reiterate that America was not involved in the operation.

While emphasizing a desire to deescalate the situation and resume diplomatic efforts, President Trump made it clear that the U.S. is prepared to respond forcefully if necessary.

“We’re watching to see if there is retaliation,” he said, noting that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is currently on high alert. “The U.S. will defend itself and Israel if Iran retaliates.”

In recent weeks, U.S. officials confirmed, the Iron Dome missile defense system has been replenished with additional interceptors, a move that now appears prescient in light of mounting tensions.

Despite confirming that several high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in the Israeli operation, administration officials reiterated that the U.S. military was not involved in any capacity. Still, it was made clear that the Trump administration was fully aware of Israel’s intentions and had coordinated diplomatic messaging with allies in advance.

President Trump closed the conversation by repeating his central message: “I hope they get back to the negotiating table.”

WATCH:

{Matzav.com}

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning to Israel on Friday, promising it would suffer a “bitter and painful” outcome following a major Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. In an immediate counter-move, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel.

Israeli authorities informed the public early Friday that more than 100 drones had been fired from Iran and were en route to Israeli territory, cautioning citizens to remain near bomb shelters as the drones were expected to take hours to arrive.

Roughly three hours after the alert, the IDF Home Front Command canceled its directive to stay near shelters. No sirens were activated across the country, as Israeli defense systems successfully intercepted the drones before they entered Israeli airspace.

Later in the day, the IDF stated it had “control over the situation,” though it stopped short of confirming the total destruction of all incoming drones. In the meantime, safety restrictions remained in place, including school closures, work disruptions, and bans on public gatherings.

Khamenei, speaking through Iran’s official IRNA news agency, accused Israel of “opening its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centers.”

This statement followed reports that Israel’s strikes had eliminated several high-ranking Iranian military officials, including the armed forces’ chief of staff, key commanders in the Revolutionary Guards, and top scientists in the country’s nuclear program.

“With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself up for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it,” Khamenei declared.

In response, Tehran emphasized its intention to push forward with its nuclear and missile initiatives, framing Israel’s actions as validation of Iran’s military ambitions.

“One should not speak to such a predatory regime except in the language of power,” the Iranian government said. “The world now better understands Iran’s insistence on the right to enrichment, nuclear technology, and missile power.”

Speaking to Fox News anchor Bret Baier on Friday, President Donald Trump confirmed that he had been briefed in advance about the Israeli military operation, which reportedly involved 200 Israeli fighter jets.

Trump was quoted as saying that Iran “cannot have a nuclear bomb,” according to Baier.

The U.S. government clarified on Friday that it had no role in the Israeli strike and issued a warning to Iran not to retaliate against American interests or personnel.

Nevertheless, Iranian officials insisted that the U.S. bore responsibility, claiming that the scale and complexity of Israel’s action indicated that it “cannot have been carried out without the coordination and permission of the United States.”

Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, a spokesperson for the Iranian armed forces, told state television that both Israel and the United States would face serious repercussions, stating they would “pay a heavy price” for the attacks.

{Matzav.com}

Two gedolei Torah are being forced to remain overseas for Shabbos after their flights were diverted Friday morning due to the sudden closure of Israeli airspace. The disruption followed Israel’s major strike on Iranian nuclear targets overnight and fears of imminent retaliation, which prompted a broad shutdown of all air travel at Ben Gurion Airport.

Former Chief Rabbi Rav Yitzchok Yosef, returning from a chizuk mission in Canada, had been en route to Eretz Yisroel when his flight was redirected mid-air. He landed in Rome, Italy, and will be spending Shabbos there.

Rav Ezriel Auerbach, prominent posek and rov in Bayit Vegan, was also aboard a return flight to Israel after participating in the massive Adirei HaTorah event this past Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. His plane was rerouted to Larnaca, Cyprus, where he, too, is expected to remain through Shabbos.

The abrupt closure of Israeli airspace early Friday was implemented as part of emergency defense precautions following the IDF’s preemptive strike on Iranian nuclear infrastructure. With expectations of a potential Iranian response, Israeli authorities opted to divert all inbound civilian aircraft.

The Torah world continues to respond to the developments with heightened tefillah and hisorerus.

{Matzav.com}