Israel launched widescale strikes against Iran on Friday (13 June), targeting nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and senior military commanders in what it described as the start of a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from developing an atomic weapon.
The strikes, which Israel has named Operation Rising Lion, reportedly killed two of Iran’s top military commanders, sending tensions in the Middle East to dangerous new heights.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation aimed to dismantle what he described as an imminent threat to Israel’s survival.
“Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” Netanyahu said in a televised address.
“This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
Moments ago, Israel launched Operation “Rising Lion”, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.
This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.
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Statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: pic.twitter.com/XgUTy90g1S
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) June 13, 2025
An Israeli military official said Israel was striking “dozens” of nuclear and military targets, including the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz in central Iran.
The official warned that Iran had enough material to build 15 nuclear bombs within days.
Senior Iranian Commanders Killed
Iranian state media confirmed that several senior Iranian figures had been killed in the strikes.
Among them was General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), one of the most powerful figures in Iran’s security establishment.
Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s chief of staff and highest-ranking military officer, was also reported killed by Iran’s state broadcaster IRINN.
Two leading Iranian nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were also reportedly killed in the airstrikes, according to Iranian news outlets.
Repeated explosions were heard in Tehran, with Iranian state media broadcasting images of damaged apartment buildings engulfed in flames.
Israel is currently striking Iran’s capital, Tehran.
Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/YzYr0CneRz
— AF Post (@AFpost) June 13, 2025
Iran’s civil aviation authority announced the closure of the country’s airspace, while emergency services responded to reports of wounded civilians.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the Israeli attack, warning that Israel would face “severe punishment.”
Separately, Iran’s foreign ministry accused Israel of exposing global security to an “unprecedented threat” and said Iran’s response was its legitimate right of self-defence.
It urged the UN Secretary-General to act immediately and called on UN member states—especially regional, Islamic, and Non-Aligned countries—to condemn Israel’s “criminal aggression” and take urgent collective action to confront the threat to global peace and security.
State of Emergency Declared in Israel
As fears of retaliation grew, Israel declared a state of emergency, shutting down its airspace, closing schools, banning non-essential work, and restricting public gatherings.
“Following the pre-emptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate time frame,” Defence Minister Israel Katz said.
He urged Israelis to remain in protected areas and follow instructions from authorities.
Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir said tens of thousands of soldiers had been deployed “prepared across all borders.”
“We have been preparing this operation for a long time; unprecedented efforts have been made across all branches and directorates to achieve readiness against the tangible and present threat,” Zamir said.
US Denies Involvement
The United States was quick to distance itself from Israel’s actions.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington had been informed in advance but stressed that Israel had acted alone.
“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defence,” Rubio said.
“We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
The US State Department ordered all American government employees in Israel and their family members to shelter in place until further notice.
US President Donald Trump, speaking to Fox News, confirmed that his administration was aware of Israel’s plans beforehand but reiterated that the US military played no role in the strikes.
He added that the US remained hopeful for renewed negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb, and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see,” Trump said.
Despite the escalation, US and Iranian officials were still scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran’s uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday (15 June), according to officials from both countries and Omani mediators.
World Urges Restraint
Countries around the world expressed alarm, urging all sides to prevent further escalation.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned that the attacks risk destabilising an already volatile region.
“We call on all parties to refrain from actions and rhetoric that will further exacerbate tensions,” she said.
“We all understand the threat of Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme, but we urge prioritising dialogue and diplomacy.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the development as “really unwelcome,” warning of a high risk of miscalculation.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said Tokyo was making “all necessary diplomatic efforts to prevent further deterioration of the situation” while ensuring the safety of Japanese citizens.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged “maximum restraint,” expressing particular concern over the Israeli strikes at a time when diplomatic talks were still ongoing.
“The Secretary-General asks both sides to avoid at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford,” his spokesperson said.
As the world watches closely, fears of a wider regional war continue to mount, with both sides signalling that the confrontation is far from over.
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