June 13, 2025 — Israel has launched a large-scale aerial attack on Iran, targeting more than 100 sites across the country, including nuclear facilities, ballistic missile depots, and high-level military command centers. The operation, reportedly named “Operation Rising Lion,” marks one of the most expansive and aggressive military actions undertaken by Israel in recent history.
The airstrikes began in the early hours of Friday morning, with over 200 Israeli fighter jets — primarily F-35I Adir and F-15I Ra’am aircraft — flying deep into Iranian airspace. The jets targeted multiple facilities believed to be central to Iran’s nuclear weapons program and missile production capabilities. Among the primary targets were:
- The Natanz uranium enrichment facility
- Missile storage and manufacturing centers
- Military command bases in Tehran and other regions
- Residences and offices of top Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leaders
Reports suggest the strike involved over 330 precision-guided munitions, dropped on pre-identified military and strategic infrastructure across Iran.
Iranian state media and independent sources have confirmed the deaths of several key military and nuclear figures, including:
- General Hossein Salami, IRGC Commander-in-Chief
- General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s Chief of Armed Forces
- General Gholam Ali Rashid, Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command
- At least six senior nuclear scientists, including Fereydoon Abbasi-Davani
In a post on X, the agency reported that six scientists – Abdulhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Seyyed Amirhossein Faqhi, Motlabizadeh, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi – had been killed in the attacks.
The death toll also includes several mid-ranking officers and civilians, particularly in areas where military and scientific complexes are located within or near populated urban zones.
The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is saying that it has established through communication with Iranian officials that the nuclear site in the city of Isfahan has not been impacted by the Israeli attacks.
A fuel enrichment plant in Fordow had also not been affected as of yet, it said.
Israeli fighter jets reportedly bombed the nuclear site in the city of Natanz during its blitz early Friday morning, but the IAEA has said there is currently no increase in radiation levels at the site.
The agency has said that a nuclear plant in Bushehr was also not impacted.
Iran has responded with force, launching approximately 100 drones and cruise missiles toward Israel.
The strike has sent shockwaves through the international community. The United States confirmed it was not involved in the attack but stated it supports Israel’s right to defend itself.
Several countries, including Russia, China, and European Union nations, condemned the Israeli strike and called for restraint.
Global oil prices surged by 7–8%, and civilian air traffic across the Middle East has been severely disrupted due to closed airspace over Iran, Israel, Iraq, and the Persian Gulf.
