Israel Launches Strikes Against Iranian Nuclear,‍ missile Sites

Updated June 13, 2025

Israel conducted a​ large-scale attack across Iran Thursday, targeting nuclear‌ and missile sites, military leaders, and nuclear⁤ scientists. Covert operations also targeted missile ⁢and air defense locations.

The move marks a​ significant escalation, with ‍Israel directly⁤ confronting Iran, its primary adversary,‌ without U.S. support. The U.S. administration quickly distanced itself from the operation.

President⁤ Trump had voiced opposition to an Israeli ‍strike ‍on‍ Iran’s nuclear sites,expressing his belief that a nuclear agreement remained possible. Though, hours later, Israel initiated⁤ attacks on nuclear facilities, high-ranking military⁣ officials, and senior nuclear program scientists. Trump told Fox ​News that‍ the U.S.was aware of the impending strikes but not militarily involved. He expressed⁣ hope ‌that Iran⁣ would return ⁢to negotiations and noted that CENTCOM is on alert ‌for potential retaliation against U.S.targets.

Islamic Revolutionary ​Guards Corps Gen. hossein‍ Salami was among those killed, ⁣along with military chief of⁤ staff Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Iranian state media confirmed. Reports also indicate the deaths of two leading nuclear scientists and another high-ranking general.Images from state media showed smoke rising from residential areas.

Supreme Leader ⁢ali ‌Khamenei vowed “a harsh punishment” in response to the ⁢attack. Israel declared‌ a national state of emergency, ‍and Defense Minister Israel Katz warned citizens to anticipate drone and missile attacks ⁣from Iran “in the immediate future.” Schools and most workplaces ⁢will be closed friday.

The Israeli strikes have initiated a ‌new military conflict, posing‍ a significant threat to both Israel and Iran. An Israel Defense ⁣Forces official stated that the operation to dismantle ‍Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile ⁤capabilities would take several days. Israel anticipates retaliatory missile and drone attacks from Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that the ‌campaign would continue “provided that it‌ takes.”

The IDF official claimed‌ Israel had recently detected iran accelerating its pursuit of a nuclear weapon. He saeid that with each passing ⁢day, Israel’s visibility ‌into Iran’s advancements diminished. “We are now in a strategic window of prospect⁣ and close to a point of no return, and‌ we had no⁣ choice but to take action,” the official⁢ stated. Iran⁣ denies seeking nuclear weapons, and⁢ the U.S. and other allies​ have not issued similar warnings.

A source familiar with ​the matter revealed that the U.S. privately informed several allies Thursday⁤ of the imminent Israeli ​strikes, clarifying that it was not involved. the Trump administration had previously informed Israel‍ that it would not participate in any strikes against the nuclear program.‍ however,‌ the U.S. has historically assisted ‍in defending​ Israel⁤ from Iranian attacks and is likely to do so again.

Netanyahu stated that the planning for‌ simultaneous strikes on Iran’s nuclear⁢ and missile programs ‍had been underway for months. He asserted that Iran had taken unprecedented steps in its nuclear program and was rapidly accumulating a large stockpile of ballistic missiles, both of which ⁣Israel aimed to “eliminate.”

An IDF spokesperson​ announced that only “necessary” ⁤activities should occur in Israel starting friday morning local time, including a ban on‌ “educational activities, gatherings and workplaces, ⁢with the exception of essential businesses.” Israel has closed its airspace, and Iran has suspended⁤ flights from ‍Tehran’s ‍international airport. Israeli political leaders have been moved to a secure location.

“Tonight,Israel took unilateral ⁤action against⁢ Iran. We are‌ not involved in strikes‍ against Iran and our top priority ⁤is protecting American forces in the region,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said.

“Israel advised us‍ that they believe this action was necessary for‌ its self-defense,” he‌ continued. “President Trump and the ‍Administration have taken all necessary ​steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional‌ partners.Let me be‌ clear: Iran should not target‍ U.S. ⁤interests or ⁣personnel.”

Israel had been preparing and conducting drills for weeks but had previously⁢ indicated to the⁤ U.S. that it would ‍await the⁢ outcome of Trump’s ⁢nuclear⁣ talks.Netanyahu thanked Trump for his years of support for Israel‌ and opposition to Iran’s‌ nuclear​ program. However, he did‍ not receive public⁤ support⁤ from Trump for this attack. A sixth round of U.S.-Iran talks had​ been scheduled for Sunday, but Israel’s actions have likely eliminated ​any possibility of a deal. Trump has a National Security ​Council meeting scheduled for Friday at 11‌ a.m.

What’s next

Iran has threatened to⁣ target U.S. assets in the region ⁣if its nuclear program is attacked.‌ The U.S. is ⁢withdrawing diplomats and‌ military families from Iraq,Bahrain,and Kuwait ‌who could ⁢be at risk. Air defenses​ around several U.S. bases⁢ in​ the Gulf have also been strengthened.