"The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) claimed on Saturday that several senior Iranian officials were killed on the opening day of its military operation, describing the strikes as a coordinated effort targeting key figures within Iran’s leadership structure. Speaking to the media, IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said the operation began with simultaneous strikes on two separate gatherings involving senior Iranian officials. "We launched the operation by seizing an operational opportunity, striking simultaneously two separate gatherings of senior officials in the Iranian terror regime," he said. According to Defrin, one of the strikes targeted a meeting at the compound of Iran’s Supreme Defence Council. "It can now be confirmed that in this strike, several senior figures in the Iranian terror regime were eliminated, including Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Revolutionary Guards; Salah Asadi, a senior intelligence officer of the Supreme Command; Aziz Nasirzadeh, Iran’s Defence Minister; Hassan Jabal Amelian, head of the SPND organisation responsible for military-security industries; Mohammad Shirazi, Head of Khamenei's military office," he stated. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is a central pillar of Iran’s military and security apparatus, while the SPND organisation is linked to Iran’s defence research and military development programmes. When asked how long the operation would continue, Defrin indicated there was no fixed timeline. "It will take as long as it takes; it will continue for as long as necessary until we achieve all of our objectives." The statement comes amid a rapidly escalating confrontation between Israel and Iran, following waves of strikes and retaliatory missile launches that have heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. Iranian authorities have not yet publicly confirmed the deaths of the officials named by the IDF. Donald Trump confirmed 'major combat operations' in Iran in a video posted on his Truth Social: "To the members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard, the armed forces and all of the police, I say tonight that you must lay down your weapons and have complete immunity - or in the alternative, face certain death." Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a joint operation to "remove the existential threat posed by the terrorist regime in Iran". He later called on the Iranian people to 'take their fate into their own hands'. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps said that 'widespread missile and drone attacks' against Israel were underway. US bases were reportedly targeted in the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Iraq and Kuwait. Iran's Foreign Ministry stated: "History bears witness that Iranians have never bowed their heads in submission to foreign aggression". Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added: "Netanyahu and Trump's war on Iran is wholly unprovoked, illegal, and illegitimate". Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, who mediated the latest talks between the US and Iran, stated: "I urge the United States not to get sucked in further. This is not your war." The UK, France and Germany issued a joint statement: "Iran must halt its nuclear programme. We did not take part in the strikes, but we are in contact with our allies". Emmanuel Macron added: the ongoing escalation is dangerous for all. It must stop". Russia, China, France, Bahrain and Colombia called an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council for Saturday night. It comes following three rounds of talks between the Iranian and American sides, one in Muscat and two in Geneva in recent weeks."