In a dramatic and unprecedented escalation, Israel launched multiple airstrikes on Iran's capital Tehran and other key areas early on Friday, June 13, 2025, targeting nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure. The attack resulted in the deaths of top Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists, shaking the geopolitical fabric of the Middle East and drawing warnings of retaliation from Iran.

This marks Israel’s most significant military strike on Iran since the Islamic Republic’s formation, and possibly since the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.

Key Leaders Killed in the Attack

Iranian state-run media confirmed the deaths of several high-ranking officials, including:

• General Hossein Salami, Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

• General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces

The identities of multiple nuclear scientists and other military personnel have not yet been made public, but sources suggest significant losses to Iran’s top nuclear and defence leadership.

Israel Claims Pre-emptive Action

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the strike as a pre-emptive move to neutralise an imminent existential threat.

“This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival,” Mr. Netanyahu stated.
“It could be a year. It could be within a few months. We cannot wait for a mushroom cloud.”

He vowed to continue operations as necessary to completely dismantle Iran’s nuclear weapons capability.

The airstrike reportedly hit multiple sites, including Iran’s uranium enrichment plant at Natanz, with black smoke rising into the sky, as confirmed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iran Vows Retaliation

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a stern message carried by IRNA, said:

“Israel opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centres.”

He vowed severe punishment, while Iran’s military has been placed on maximum alert. The closure of Iran’s airspace was immediately followed by similar measures in Israel.

US Reaction and Regional Fallout

The United States distanced itself from the strikes, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that Israel acted unilaterally in self-defence.

“We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” said Mr. Rubio in an official White House release.

The Trump administration had earlier urged restraint, especially as the sixth round of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the US was scheduled for June 15 in Oman.

The US evacuated diplomats from Baghdad and advised voluntary evacuations of American military families in the Middle East two days prior, anticipating possible regional fallout.

Public Reactions and Political Implications

The attack drew bipartisan support within Israel, with even opposition leader Yair Lapid backing Netanyahu’s move despite strong criticism over the prolonged Gaza war.

However, analysts caution that public support may erode if Iranian retaliation leads to mass Israeli casualties or major disruptions in everyday life.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz warned citizens of imminent missile and drone attacks, urging them to follow guidance from the Home Front Command.

Impact on Global Markets and Airspace

The assault caused an immediate spike in oil prices, with Brent crude rising by nearly 8%.
Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport was temporarily closed, and airlines began rerouting international flights to avoid both Iranian and Israeli airspace.

Details of the Strike

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) reportedly used a combination of aging air-to-air refuelers and long-range standoff missiles possibly launched over Iraqi airspace, echoing previous Israeli strategies.

Eyewitnesses in Baghdad and northern Iraq reported hearing jets flying overhead, though Iranian radar and air defences were apparently unable to intercept the incoming missiles.

The IAEA confirmed a strike on Natanz, Iran’s central uranium enrichment facility, and is monitoring radiation levels closely. So far, no nuclear contamination has been reported.

Iran’s Immediate Response and Nuclear Escalation

Iran, furious over the attack and deaths of its top generals, announced the creation of a third uranium enrichment site, and plans to install advanced centrifuges, in what may be the final blow to the 2025 nuclear negotiations.

While Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons, Western intelligence remains divided on whether Iran is months or a year away from building a deliverable bomb.

Trump Administration Caught Off Guard

Even as the explosions rocked Tehran, President Donald Trump was seen mingling with lawmakers on the White House lawn. It is unclear whether he had been briefed at the time.

Later in the day, the White House announced an emergency National Security Council meeting, where Mr. Trump is expected to review military posture across the region.

Earlier, Mr. Trump had advised Mr. Netanyahu against any action while nuclear talks were underway:

“As long as I think there is a chance for an agreement, I don’t want them going in because I think it would blow it.”

What Happens Next

The Middle East now stands on the edge of a broader war. With Iran promising retaliation, and Israel preparing for countermeasures, analysts fear a multi-front conflict involving Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, and Syrian proxies.

While diplomatic backchannels remain open, particularly via Oman, the death toll and magnitude of the strike may have hardened positions beyond repair.

The UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session.

Global leaders have urged de-escalation, but the situation remains dangerously fluid.

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