🚨
Israel has launched a major military operation against Iran, targeting nuclear facilities and military infrastructure in a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions. Explosions rocked Tehran and Natanz, with Israel confirming dozens of airstrikes in the early hours of June 13, 2025. This comprehensive guide covers the latest news, timeline, nuclear program details, global reactions, and what it means for the region and the world.
Reuters: Israel Says It Strikes Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
📰 Breaking News: Israel Strikes Iran’s Nuclear Facilities
🗓️ Date: June 13, 2025 (local time)
💥 What happened? Israel launched dozens of airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities (notably Natanz), missile infrastructure, and military command centers.
📍 Where? Explosions reported in Tehran, Natanz, Isfahan, and other strategic locations.
🛡️ Why? Israel claims Iran is on the brink of producing enough enriched uranium for multiple nuclear bombs “within days.”
⚠️ Response: Iran’s air defenses activated; air traffic halted at Tehran’s main airport. Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, bracing for missile and drone retaliation.
NBC News: Israeli Military Conducts Airstrikes on Iran
💥 What happened? Israel launched dozens of airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities (notably Natanz), missile infrastructure, and military command centers.
📍 Where? Explosions reported in Tehran, Natanz, Isfahan, and other strategic locations.
🛡️ Why? Israel claims Iran is on the brink of producing enough enriched uranium for multiple nuclear bombs “within days.”
⚠️ Response: Iran’s air defenses activated; air traffic halted at Tehran’s main airport. Israel declared a nationwide state of emergency, bracing for missile and drone retaliation.
🗺️ Timeline: How the Israel-Iran Crisis Unfolded
⏰ June 12, 2025: IAEA finds Iran in breach of nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years. Iran threatens to escalate uranium enrichment and remove monitoring cameras.
🌑 June 13, 2025, 3:00 AM: Israel launches Operation Rising Lion (“Am KeLavi”), striking dozens of nuclear and military sites, including Natanz and Tehran.
🔥 Blasts: Massive explosions reported near Natanz (Iran’s main enrichment facility), Parchin military base, and neighborhoods housing senior commanders. Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami reportedly killed.
🚨 State of Emergency: Israel warns of imminent missile and drone retaliation, activates nationwide sirens.
🛬 Airports: Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport closed.
💬 World reaction: Oil prices spike, global markets tumble, and the US evacuates nonessential personnel from the region.
NY Times: Live Updates – Israeli Strikes Target Iran’s Nuclear Program
🌑 June 13, 2025, 3:00 AM: Israel launches Operation Rising Lion (“Am KeLavi”), striking dozens of nuclear and military sites, including Natanz and Tehran.
🔥 Blasts: Massive explosions reported near Natanz (Iran’s main enrichment facility), Parchin military base, and neighborhoods housing senior commanders. Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami reportedly killed.
🚨 State of Emergency: Israel warns of imminent missile and drone retaliation, activates nationwide sirens.
🛬 Airports: Tehran’s Imam Khomeini International Airport closed.
💬 World reaction: Oil prices spike, global markets tumble, and the US evacuates nonessential personnel from the region.
⚛️ Iran’s Nuclear Program: Why Did Israel Strike?
⚛️ Iran’s progress: Iran is enriching uranium to 60% purity (near weapons-grade), installing advanced centrifuges, and is now believed to have enough material for 7–15 nuclear bombs.
🧑🔬 Natanz: Israel targeted the Natanz enrichment facility, Iran’s most critical nuclear site.
🧑💻 Scientists: Israeli strikes also targeted nuclear scientists and missile program leaders.
🗣️ Israel’s stance: PM Netanyahu called Iran’s nuclear effort “a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival,” vowing to prevent Tehran from acquiring a bomb “one way or another.”
🛑 Diplomacy stalled: US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman collapsed as Iran refused to halt enrichment and dismantle centrifuges.
Al Jazeera: Iran and Israel – From Allies to Archenemies
🧑🔬 Natanz: Israel targeted the Natanz enrichment facility, Iran’s most critical nuclear site.
🧑💻 Scientists: Israeli strikes also targeted nuclear scientists and missile program leaders.
🗣️ Israel’s stance: PM Netanyahu called Iran’s nuclear effort “a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival,” vowing to prevent Tehran from acquiring a bomb “one way or another.”
🛑 Diplomacy stalled: US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman collapsed as Iran refused to halt enrichment and dismantle centrifuges.
🛡️ Israeli Operation: Rising Lion & Military Details
🦁 Operation: Israel codenamed the attack “Rising Lion” (Am KeLavi).
✈️ Scale: Dozens of fighter jets struck dozens of targets, including nuclear facilities, missile bases, and command centers.
🎯 Targets: Natanz enrichment facility, Parchin base, Isfahan missile sites, homes of senior commanders.
🕵️ Mossad: Israeli intelligence (Mossad) reportedly coordinated sabotage missions against air defense and missile infrastructure.
⏳ Duration: Israel says the operation will last “as many days as necessary.”
Wikipedia: June 2025 Israeli Strikes in Iran – Full Timeline
✈️ Scale: Dozens of fighter jets struck dozens of targets, including nuclear facilities, missile bases, and command centers.
🎯 Targets: Natanz enrichment facility, Parchin base, Isfahan missile sites, homes of senior commanders.
🕵️ Mossad: Israeli intelligence (Mossad) reportedly coordinated sabotage missions against air defense and missile infrastructure.
⏳ Duration: Israel says the operation will last “as many days as necessary.”
🌍 Global Fallout: Oil, Markets, Diplomacy & Google Trends
🛢️ Oil prices: Spiked over $3/barrel, global markets fell 5% after news broke.
🇺🇸 US role: The US was not involved in the strikes. President Trump called an emergency cabinet meeting and reaffirmed a diplomatic stance, but ordered evacuation of nonessential US personnel from the region.
🌐 Diplomacy: US-Iran talks in Oman stalled; Europe and the UN called for restraint.
🔎 Google Trends: Searches for “Israel Iran nuclear,” “missile strike,” and “Natanz” surged globally, with “Psalms” trending in Israel as citizens sought comfort.
💬 Public opinion: Israeli society is deeply divided over the risk of escalation, while Iranian officials vow retaliation.
LatestLY: Why is Israel Trending? Google Trends June 13, 2025
🇺🇸 US role: The US was not involved in the strikes. President Trump called an emergency cabinet meeting and reaffirmed a diplomatic stance, but ordered evacuation of nonessential US personnel from the region.
🌐 Diplomacy: US-Iran talks in Oman stalled; Europe and the UN called for restraint.
🔎 Google Trends: Searches for “Israel Iran nuclear,” “missile strike,” and “Natanz” surged globally, with “Psalms” trending in Israel as citizens sought comfort.
💬 Public opinion: Israeli society is deeply divided over the risk of escalation, while Iranian officials vow retaliation.
⚠️ What’s Next? Retaliation, Risks & Regional Impact
⚠️ Retaliation expected: Israel’s defense ministry and US officials warn of imminent Iranian missile and drone strikes.
🛡️ Israel’s defense: Nationwide sirens, Iron Dome, and Arrow missile defense systems on high alert.
🌍 Regional risk: Fears of a broader Middle East war, with proxy groups (Hezbollah, Houthis) threatening to join the conflict.
🗣️ Netanyahu: “We defend not only Israel, but our Arab neighbors from Iranian aggression.”
NPR: Israel Strikes Iran and Braces for Retaliation
🛡️ Israel’s defense: Nationwide sirens, Iron Dome, and Arrow missile defense systems on high alert.
🌍 Regional risk: Fears of a broader Middle East war, with proxy groups (Hezbollah, Houthis) threatening to join the conflict.
🗣️ Netanyahu: “We defend not only Israel, but our Arab neighbors from Iranian aggression.”
📚 History: Israel, Iran & the Nuclear Shadow
📜 Background: Israel and Iran were not always enemies. Under the Pahlavi dynasty, Iran was the second Muslim-majority nation to recognize Israel. Relations collapsed after the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
⚛️ Decades of tension: Since the 1990s, Israel has viewed Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat. Israel has previously sabotaged Iranian facilities and assassinated nuclear scientists.
💣 Previous attacks: Stuxnet cyberattack (2010), assassinations of Iranian scientists, airstrikes in Syria and Iraq.
NY Times: Why Israel May Be Considering an Attack on Iran
⚛️ Decades of tension: Since the 1990s, Israel has viewed Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat. Israel has previously sabotaged Iranian facilities and assassinated nuclear scientists.
💣 Previous attacks: Stuxnet cyberattack (2010), assassinations of Iranian scientists, airstrikes in Syria and Iraq.
💡 FAQ: What Americans & Global Readers Want to Know About the Israel-Iran Crisis
💡 FAQ:
CNN: Iran Threatens Nuclear Escalation After Watchdog Rebuke
- Why did Israel attack Iran? To prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons, as Iran is enriching uranium close to weapons-grade and has enough material for multiple bombs.
- What sites were hit? Natanz nuclear facility, missile bases, command centers, and homes of senior commanders.
- Was the US involved? No. The US was not part of the operation and has urged restraint.
- What is Operation Rising Lion? Israel’s codename for the airstrikes, aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities.
- Will Iran retaliate? Highly likely. Israel and the US are bracing for missile and drone attacks.
- What about nuclear talks? Negotiations have collapsed. The risk of a broader war has increased.
- How has the world reacted? Oil prices spiked, markets dropped, and global leaders are calling for calm.
- What’s the risk for the US? Possible Iranian retaliation against US assets in the region; US has evacuated nonessential personnel.
- How big is Iran’s nuclear program? Iran is enriching uranium to 60%, has enough material for 7–15 bombs, and is installing advanced centrifuges.
- How does this compare to past crises? This is the largest direct Israeli strike on Iran to date, and the risk of regional war is at its highest in years.
©️ 2025 | Israel-Iran Strikes: Complete Guide for US Readers, Security Watchers & Global News Fans
Tags:
News