The Iran Chief of Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, has been killed in airstrikes launched by Israel early Friday morning, Iran’s state TV IRINN reports.
This comes as Israel carried out dozens of airstrikes on Iran, declaring an emergency as it braces up for retaliation.
According to the Israeli military, a "pre-emptive, precise, combined offensive based on high-quality intelligence" had been launched - called Operation Rising Lion.
"Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran," said a statement.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack was to "roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival" and would last for "as many days as it takes to remove the threat".
Iranian state media reported the head of the country's powerful Revolutionary Guard, Hossein Salami, had also been killed.
Meanwhile, Israel claims Iran has launched a reprisal, with more than 100 drones.
According to Israeli military, “All (aerial) defense arrays have been operating to intercept the threats.”
“This is a different event to what we’ve experienced thus far, and we’re expecting difficult hours," IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said, urging residents to be cautious.