Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has issued a strongly worded warning to Israel following a deadly airstrike by the Israeli military on Iranian territory early Friday, which Iranian officials say claimed the lives of both senior military figures and civilians.

In a public message broadcast by Iranian state media, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution condemned the Israeli strikes as a "criminal act" and accused Tel Aviv of once again revealing its “evil nature” by targeting residential areas in Tehran.

“The Zionist regime committed a great crime by attacking our civilians and commanders. This act has further exposed the wickedness of the regime before the world,” Ayatollah Khamenei said. “Israel must be prepared for a painful and severe punishment.”

The remarks came hours after Iranian Armed Forces confirmed that Israeli missiles struck key locations in the capital, including homes of senior officials. While Iranian authorities have yet to release the full casualty list, local media reported the deaths of high-ranking IRGC officers, including commander-in-chief General Hossein Salami, though official confirmation remains pending.

Khamenei stated that Iran’s response would be decisive and assured the nation that “retribution is inevitable.”

“This cowardly aggression will not go unanswered. The Zionist regime and its allies should await a crushing response. This is a promise,” he declared.

The Israeli military has termed the strikes as “preemptive and precise,” claiming they were aimed at neutralising Iran’s nuclear and long-range missile capabilities. However, Iranian officials say the attacks deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure in addition to military compounds.

Tensions between the two regional foes have been escalating steadily in recent months, but Friday’s airstrikes mark the most significant escalation to date, drawing fears of a broader confrontation across the Middle East.

Iran’s Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi earlier in the day described the attacks as “savage” and warned that the enemy would “pay a heavy price.” He also accused the United States of supporting the strikes.

As Tehran mourns the dead and assesses the extent of the damage, Khamenei’s message signals the beginning of what could become a dangerous new phase in Iran-Israel hostilities.