Israel Vows Tehran Will Burn If Attacks Persist; 9 Iranian Nuclear Scientists Killed in Airstrike

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning on Saturday, escalating tensions with Iran amid a second consecutive day of cross-border strikes. Katz declared that if Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continued missile assaults on Israeli territory, “Tehran will burn.”

“The Iranian dictator is holding his people hostage to a reality they do not want,” Katz said. “They will pay heavily for the criminal attack on Israeli civilians.”

The comments come as Israel and Iran continue to exchange fire, raising fears of a broader regional war. Iranian state media reported on Saturday that Tehran has warned the United States, United Kingdom, and France that their military bases and naval assets in the region would be attacked if they intervene to help Israel.

Israel Claims Major Blow to Iran’s Nuclear Program

In a related development, the Israeli Air Force confirmed that it carried out a targeted airstrike that killed nine senior Iranian nuclear scientists. The strike, announced via the official IAF account on X, reportedly dealt a significant blow to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Image courtesy: Israeli Air force

“Nine senior scientists and experts who promoted the Iranian regime’s plan to obtain nuclear weapons were eliminated in air force strikes, thanks to accurate intelligence gathered by the intelligence branch,” the Israeli Air Force stated.

“Nine senior scientists and experts who promoted the Iranian regime’s plan to obtain nuclear weapons were eliminated in air force strikes, thanks to accurate intelligence gathered by the intelligence branch,” the Israeli Air Force stated.

According to the IAF, the scientists were central to Iran’s nuclear program and had decades of experience in developing weapons of mass destruction. Their removal, the statement said, constitutes a “significant damage” to the Iranian regime’s ability to achieve nuclear capability.

תשעה מדענים ומומחים בכירים אשר קידמו את התוכנית של המשטר האיראני להשגת נשק גרעיני, חוסלו בתקיפות חיל-האוויר, הודות למודיעין מדויק שנאסף באגף המודיעין. pic.twitter.com/PNItNRKHGO

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 14, 2025

Global Stakes Rise as Allies Weigh In

Iran’s warning to Western powers adds new tension to an already volatile situation. Military analysts say any direct involvement by NATO allies could trigger wider conflict across the Middle East. Neither the U.S. nor European governments have officially confirmed any planned response as of Saturday afternoon.

This article is based on information from Israeli Air Force on X and Iran’s state media reports.