Key Points
- Israeli strikes kill top Iranian military and nuclear leaders
- Operation “Rising Lion” targets over 100 Iranian sites
- Hossein Salami, IRGC commander, among those killed
- Iranian nuclear scientists also assassinated in airstrikes
- Israel declares state of emergency amid retaliation fears
- Iranian Supreme Leader vows “bitter and painful” revenge
- Iran launches drone attacks on Israeli territory
- U.S. denies direct involvement in Israeli strikes
- Trump urges Iran to make a deal “before nothing left”
- Regional tensions escalate, raising fears of wider conflict
In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Israel launched a large-scale airstrike campaign early on June 13, 2025, targeting Iran’s nuclear program, missile manufacturing sites, and senior military leadership. The strikes, part of an operation codenamed “Rising Lion,” resulted in the deaths of some of Iran’s most powerful figures, including Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and several top nuclear scientists. The unprecedented attack has plunged the region into heightened uncertainty, with Iran vowing severe retaliation and Israel bracing for a prolonged campaign.
Operation Rising Lion: Scope and Execution
Massive Coordinated Airstrikes
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that over 200 fighter jets participated in the initial wave of strikes, deploying approximately 330 munitions against more than 100 targets across Iran. The offensive focused on Iran’s nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, missile production sites, and key military command centers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as a decisive military campaign to neutralize the Iranian threat to Israel’s existence.
“This operation will persist for as long as necessary to eliminate this danger,” Netanyahu said in a televised statement.
Targets Included Military and Nuclear Leadership
The strikes were not limited to infrastructure. The IDF confirmed that several senior Iranian military officials were killed, including Hossein Salami, the IRGC commander, and Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC Air Force, responsible for Iran’s missile and drone programs, was also reported killed.
Iranian state media confirmed the deaths of these leaders and reported damage to the IRGC headquarters in Tehran. Several nuclear scientists, including Mohammad Tehri and Ebrahim Abbasi, were also assassinated, significantly impacting Iran’s nuclear program.
Immediate Aftermath and Iranian Response
Iran Declares State of Emergency
Following the strikes, Iranian authorities reported loud explosions in Tehran and temporarily closed the capital’s airspace. The country declared a state of emergency as it prepared for potential retaliatory attacks.
Iranian Supreme Leader’s Warning
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the Israeli strikes as a “wicked and bloody” act and warned Israel of a “bitter and painful” fate.
“By God’s will, the formidable strength of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic will ensure Israel does not escape punishment,” Khamenei declared.
Retaliatory Drone Attacks
In response, Iran launched approximately 100 drones toward Israeli territory. Israeli defense forces intercepted many of these, though the attacks marked a significant escalation in hostilities between the two nations.
U.S. Position and Trump’s Warning
U.S. Denies Direct Involvement
While Israel conducted the strikes independently, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States was not involved in planning or executing the attacks. However, Rubio emphasized that the U.S. supports Israel’s right to self-defense and warned Iran against retaliating against American forces or interests in the region.
Trump’s Call for a Deal
Former President Donald Trump weighed in with a stark warning to Iran on his social media platform Truth Social, urging Tehran to accept a nuclear deal before “there is nothing left.”
“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal… Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
Trump highlighted the elimination of Iranian hardliners opposing negotiations, stating:
“They didn’t know what was about to happen. And it will only get worse.”
He also underscored the military superiority of the U.S. and Israel, warning of more brutal attacks to come if Iran refuses to negotiate.
Regional and Global Implications
Heightened Regional Tensions
The strikes have significantly raised tensions across the Middle East, with fears of a wider conflict involving Iran’s regional proxies and neighboring countries. The Israeli government has declared a state of emergency, closing schools and restricting public gatherings amid concerns about missile and drone retaliation.
Impact on Nuclear Negotiations
The attacks come just days before a scheduled round of indirect nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran in Oman. The violence threatens to derail diplomatic efforts aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
International Calls for Restraint
Global leaders have urged both sides to exercise restraint. The risk of escalation poses threats to regional stability and global energy supplies, prompting calls for renewed dialogue.
Israel’s unprecedented airstrikes that killed some of Iran’s most powerful military and nuclear leaders mark a critical turning point in Middle East geopolitics. With Iran vowing severe retaliation and regional tensions soaring, the potential for a broader conflict looms large. Former President Trump’s warning to Iran to “make a deal before there is nothing left” encapsulates the urgent need for diplomacy amid escalating hostilities. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the region moves toward war or peace.