UPDATE - Israeli officials say top Iranian political, military figures targeted in strikes

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS; REVISES DECK, LEDE

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - Israel targeted senior Iranian political and military figures, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, in the latest strikes, according to media reports on Saturday.

A senior US official confirmed to Axios that Israel conducted air strikes against Iranian senior commanders and political leaders.

Israel's Channel 12 reported that assessments in Tel Aviv indicated a strong likelihood that Ali Shamkhani, Khamenei's advisor who is responsible for Iran's nuclear program, had been eliminated. The channel also reported that Revolutionary Guards commander Mohammad Fakhpour was assessed to have been eliminated.

Pezeshkian's son and adviser, Yousef Pezeshkian, said on Telegram that his father was safe. "The doctor is doing well," he wrote, referring to the president. "As far as I know, their assassinations were not successful this time and the other officials are also safe," he added.

Iran's Foreign Ministry also moved quickly to push back on some reports, saying Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was in good health. Iranian authorities issued no official confirmation of any deaths.

Israel and the US announced early Saturday a joint operation against Iran, citing "threats" posed by the "Iranian regime."

The attacks come as talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran's nuclear program had been ongoing under Oman's mediation. A new round of talks in Geneva ended on Thursday.

Last June, the US struck three Iranian nuclear sites during the 12-day Israel-Iran war.