Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear, missile sites in major escalation

June 13, 2025 (MLN): Israel launched a large-scale military operation early Friday, targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and ballistic missile sites in a move that marks a significant escalation in the longstanding tensions between the two countries.

Explosions echoed across Tehran and the city of Natanz, home to one of Iran’s key nuclear sites, as waves of Israeli airstrikes struck multiple locations. Iranian state media and videos circulating online confirmed the blasts.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the launch of "Operation Rising Lion," calling it a "targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival."

In a recorded message, he stated that "We are at a decisive moment in Israel's history… This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat."

He added that the strikes had hit "the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program," along with key figures in the country’s nuclear and missile development efforts, as per Bloomberg.

An Israeli military official said the operation targeted “dozens” of nuclear and military sites, including the facility at Natanz. The official also warned that Iran possessed enough material to produce 15 nuclear bombs within days.

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps confirmed the death of its top commander, Hossein Salami, and reported that its headquarters in Tehran had been hit.

State media also said several children were killed in a strike on a residential area in the capital.

Iranian authorities reported that two nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were among those killed in the attacks.

In response, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the strikes, accusing Israel of committing "a crime against Iran" and warned that it would face "a bitter fate for itself."

The Israeli intelligence agency Mossad reportedly coordinated a series of covert sabotage missions within Iran, targeting strategic missile sites and air defense systems, according to Axios, citing a senior Israeli official.

Meanwhile, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was shut down until further notice, and Israel’s air defense units were placed on high alert.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that “Following the pre-emptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate time frame.”

The United States clarified that it had no involvement in the operation, which now risks igniting a broader conflict in the Middle East, a key oil-producing region.

Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced that tens of thousands of soldiers had been mobilized and deployed “across all borders.”

He described the ongoing campaign as “historic” and said, “This is a critical operation to prevent an existential threat, by an enemy who is intent on destroying us.”

As the military campaign unfolded, Israeli Minister Gideon Saar held a “marathon of calls” with international counterparts, according to a statement from the foreign ministry.

In Washington, the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump would convene a meeting of the National Security Council on Friday morning.

On Thursday, Trump acknowledged that an Israeli strike on Iran “could very well happen” but expressed hope for a peaceful outcome.

A U.S. official told Reuters that the American military was preparing for a full range of contingencies in the Middle East, including potential evacuation operations for American civilians.

Despite efforts by the U.S. to distance itself from Israel’s operation, Iran’s armed forces accused both Israel and the United States of being responsible and warned that they would “pay a heavy price” for the attack.

An Israeli official told public broadcaster Kan that there had been coordination with Washington over the strike on Iran.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, however, insisted the United States was not involved.

“We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio stated. He also warned, “Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”

The State Department issued an advisory instructing all U.S. government employees and their families in Israel to “shelter in place until further notice.”

Markets reacted sharply to the developments. Stock prices in Asia dropped significantly, led by a selloff in U.S. futures, while oil prices surged.

Investors flocked to traditional safe havens such as gold and the Swiss franc.

Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the military escalation. His spokesperson, Farhan Haq, said Guterres urged both sides to exercise “maximum restraint” and to “avoid at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford.”

Despite Israel’s military assault on Iran, U.S. and Iranian officials are still expected to meet for a sixth round of talks on Tehran’s uranium enrichment program in Oman on Sunday, according to officials from both nations and Omani mediators.

A U.S. official confirmed that the diplomatic meeting remains scheduled, even as Israel defends its operation as a necessary response to new intelligence.

The Israeli military stated on Friday that it acted upon fresh intelligence indicating Iran was “approaching the point of no return” in developing a nuclear weapon.

The statement claimed Iran’s nuclear program had “accelerated significantly” in recent months, bringing it closer to acquiring a nuclear arsenal, though it did not provide specific evidence.

However, a source familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments contradicted that claim, stating there had been no recent change in Washington’s view.

According to the source, Iran is not currently building a nuclear weapon, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not authorized the resumption of the nuclear weapons program that was halted in 2003.

Oman, which is mediating the nuclear talks, voiced concern over the Israeli airstrikes. The Omani state news agency reported that the attack “threatens to eliminate diplomatic solutions and undermine security and stability of the region.”