On June 13, 2025, a dramatic escalation in Middle Eastern tensions unfolded as Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting military and nuclear facilities in Iran, triggering a swift retaliatory response from Tehran.
The Israeli operation, dubbed “Operation Am KeLawi” (Rising Lion), resulted in significant casualties, including high-ranking Iranian military officials, and has heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
With global powers weighing in and the specter of disrupted nuclear negotiations looming, the situation remains volatile. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the events, their implications, and international reactions, based on the latest reports as of June 14, 2025.
Israeli Airstrikes on Iran: The Catalyst
Israel initiated a large-scale military operation early on Friday, June 13, 2025, targeting over 100 locations across Iran, including military bases and nuclear infrastructure.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the strikes hit key sites, notably the nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as a critical component of Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program.
The Israeli Embassy in Moscow further claimed that the operation struck “the core” of Iran’s uranium enrichment and ballistic missile programs, aiming to neutralize perceived threats to Israeli security.
According to an unnamed Israeli official cited by Fox News, the operation was meticulously planned, with intelligence operations luring top commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Air Force, including Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, to a single location for a targeted strike.
The attack reportedly killed most of the IRGC Air Force leadership, dealing a significant blow to Iran’s military hierarchy.
Iranian media confirmed the deaths of Major General Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC, and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces.
Additionally, preliminary reports from Iran’s Fars News Agency indicate that the strikes resulted in 78 fatalities, including senior military commanders and nuclear scientists, with 329 others wounded.
Further strikes targeted the north-central Iranian province of Alborz, hitting cities such as Fardis, Garmdareh, and Mohammad Shahr, according to Press TV.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu justified the strikes, claiming intelligence indicated Iran was actively pursuing nuclear weapons and expanding its ballistic missile program, producing up to 300 rockets monthly.
He revealed that the decision to attack was made in 2024, following the assassination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, though the operation was delayed until June 2025 for unspecified reasons.
Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons, asserting that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.
Iran’s Retaliatory Strikes
In response to Israel’s actions, Iran launched a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israel later on June 13. The IDF reported that its air defenses detected incoming projectiles, urging civilians to seek shelter in protected spaces.
Social media footage, yet to be independently verified, showed missiles penetrating Israeli air defenses, striking areas including Tel Aviv and Galilee. The Times of Israel reported that at least seven locations in the Tel Aviv area were hit, injuring at least five people.
Iranian media claimed the attack involved “hundreds” of projectiles launched in multiple waves, targeting key Israeli infrastructure.
The newly appointed IRGC commander-in-chief, Major General Mohammad Pakpour, vowed a “bitter and painful” response, warning that Israel would face “enormous and destructive consequences.”
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, accused the United States of complicity in the Israeli strikes, framing the attack as a coordinated effort to undermine Iran ahead of nuclear talks.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts
The strikes have drawn sharp reactions from global leaders, with some condemning the escalation and others expressing support for Israel’s actions.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed prior knowledge of the Israeli operation, stating in an interview with The Wall Street Journal that the strikes could benefit nuclear negotiations by preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The U.S. has begun repositioning military assets, including the destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, toward the Eastern Mediterranean in anticipation of further Iranian retaliation, according to AP reports.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held separate phone calls with Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, condemning Israel’s actions as a violation of the UN Charter and offering to mediate to prevent further escalation.
Putin extended condolences for the civilian casualties in Iran and emphasized the need for diplomatic solutions to the nuclear dispute.
French President Emmanuel Macron pledged support for Israel’s defense against Iranian retaliation but clarified that France would not participate in offensive operations.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz defended Israel’s right to protect its “existence,” a stance criticized by former Austrian Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl, who called it “total nonsense.”
In an RT interview, Kneissl argued that Iran has not posed a direct threat to Israel in recent decades, drawing parallels to Israel’s 1967 Six-Day War and the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, both justified under the guise of preemptive self-defense.
Nelson Wong, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Centre for RimPac and International Studies, described the situation as “devastating” but “not unexpected,” suggesting U.S. coordination in the Israeli operation.
He warned that further escalation could lead Israel to block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint, potentially triggering a worldwide oil crisis.
Context of Nuclear Negotiations
The timing of the strikes, just days before the sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for June 15 in Oman, has raised concerns about their impact on diplomacy.
Five previous rounds of negotiations failed to produce a breakthrough on Iran’s nuclear program, and the Israeli operation appears to be a deliberate attempt to influence the talks.
RT contributor Martin Jay described the strikes as a “last-ditch” effort by Netanyahu to derail negotiations, suggesting that Israel is leveraging its influence over U.S. foreign policy.
Potential Consequences and Global Implications
The escalation has sparked fears of a broader regional conflict, with significant economic and geopolitical ramifications.
A potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, as warned by Wong, could disrupt up to 30% of global oil supplies, leading to soaring energy prices and economic instability.
The loss of key Iranian military and scientific personnel could also weaken Iran’s strategic capabilities, though it may galvanize domestic support for a stronger retaliatory posture.
The international community remains divided, with Western allies like the U.S., France, and Germany expressing varying degrees of support for Israel, while Russia and others advocate for de-escalation.
The strikes have also reignited debates over the legality of preemptive military actions and the credibility of claims regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Road Ahead
The Israeli airstrikes on Iran and the subsequent Iranian retaliation mark a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region. As global leaders scramble to contain the fallout, the upcoming nuclear talks in Oman hang in the balance.
The international community faces a critical juncture, with the potential for either diplomatic resolution or further conflict that could reshape the Middle East and beyond.
For now, the world watches anxiously as the situation unfolds, with the hope that cooler heads will prevail to avert a wider crisis.
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