TEHRAN — Israel launched a devastating series of airstrikes on Tehran early Friday morning, killing at least 168 people and wounding hundreds more in the most dramatic escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict to date.

The Israeli Air Force conducted over 40 strikes targeting military command centers, missile storage facilities, and Revolutionary Guard headquarters across the Iranian capital. Massive explosions rocked the city for more than three hours, with plumes of black smoke visible from miles away.

Iranian state television confirmed the death toll while reporting that emergency services were overwhelmed. Hospitals across Tehran have declared a state of emergency, with medical staff working around the clock to treat the wounded.

"This is a response to Iran's continued aggression and its nuclear ambitions," Israeli Prime Minister declared in an emergency address to the nation. "Israel will defend itself by any means necessary."

The United Nations Security Council has called an emergency session, while the United States urged all parties to de-escalate. World markets reacted sharply, with oil prices surging past $140 per barrel as fears of a broader regional conflict spread.

Iran's Supreme Leader has vowed a "crushing response" to the Israeli attacks, raising fears that the conflict could spiral into a full-scale war involving multiple regional powers.