Israeli airstrikes hit Iran’s nuclear

On June 13, 2025, Israel launched a large-scale military operation, code-named “Operation Rising Lion,” against Iran, primarily targeting its nuclear facilities and military infrastructure.

Here’s a summary of the situation based on reports:

Targets: Israeli airstrikes hit dozens of sites across Iran, including the main enrichment facility at Natanz, other nuclear sites like Khondab and Khorramabad, and various military bases and command centers. The strikes also targeted Iran’s ballistic missile program and air defense systems.
Motivation: Israel stated the attacks were a “preemptive strike” aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, claiming that Iran had amassed enough enriched uranium for multiple nuclear bombs. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the operation would continue “for as many days as it takes.”
Casualties: Iranian state media reported explosions across Tehran and other cities. Unconfirmed reports from Israeli sources suggest that senior Iranian military commanders, including Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami, and nuclear scientists, were killed in the strikes. Iranian state media has also confirmed the deaths of nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.

Regional Impact: The strikes have significantly escalated tensions in the Middle East. Israel has declared a state of emergency, anticipating retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Tehran. The US has affirmed it was not involved in the strikes but has taken measures to protect its forces in the region and warned Iran against targeting US interests.

International Reaction: The timing of the strikes comes shortly after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) censured Iran for not cooperating with inspectors regarding its nuclear program. Global oil markets have reacted sharply, with prices rising due to fears of disruption in Iranian supply lines.

Prior Warnings: There had been heightened speculation and warnings of a potential Israeli strike on Iran for weeks, especially after the US partially withdrew diplomatic staff from Iraq and offered voluntary evacuations for military families in the wider Middle East.