Israel launched a major airstrike campaign on Iran early Friday, June 13, hitting nuclear and military sites across the country in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a “very successful” opening phase of a broader operation.
The attacks killed high-ranking Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists, damaged key facilities, and escalated fears of a wider war in the region. Iran responded by launching about 100 drones toward Israel, which the Israeli military said it was working to intercept.
What was hit?
Israel said its military struck more than 100 targets across Iran using 200 fighter jets. It said the mission focused on military and nuclear sites.
Explosions were reported in Tehran, including at a site linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The Natanz nuclear facility, in central Iran, was also hit, according to both Iranian media and the UN nuclear watchdog.
Iran confirmed the deaths of top military officials, including Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami and armed forces chief Mohammad Bagheri.
At least six nuclear scientists were also killed in the attacks, according to Iranian media. Tasnim news agency named them as Abdolhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Amirhossein Feqhi, Motalleblizadeh, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, and Fereydoun Abbasi.
Iranian state TV said 50 people were injured, including women and children. Civilian buildings were damaged in the strikes.
What did Israel say?
Netanyahu said in a video statement that the strikes hit Iran’s senior command, nuclear scientists, and key facilities.
“We carried out a very successful opening strike, and with God’s help, we will achieve much more,” he said. He warned that the campaign would continue for “many days.”
The Israeli military said intelligence had shown Iran was nearing the “point of no return” on its nuclear program. It accused Iran of producing large amounts of enriched uranium and building fortified underground sites that could allow it to develop a nuclear weapon quickly.
Why now?
Tensions between the two enemies have been rising for months. Israel views Iran’s clerical leadership and nuclear program as an existential threat. Tehran denies it is trying to build a bomb.
Israeli officials described the operation as a “pre-emptive strike,” saying it followed Iran’s recent threats and its growing nuclear activity.
A day before the strikes, President Donald Trump said a conflict in the region “could very well happen” and following the attack, he admitted he had been warned about Israel’s plans.
He also said the US still hoped for nuclear talks with Iran, which were scheduled to take place Sunday in Oman.
Was the US involved?
US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, insisted that Washington did not take part in the attack.
“We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio said in an official statement, reposted by the White House official account on X.
Still, Iran’s foreign ministry accused the US of being complicit, saying Israel could not have acted without American approval.
Trump later told Fox News he knew about the operation in advance and added, “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb.”
How has Iran responded?
Iran launched around 100 drones toward Israel following the attacks. The Israeli military said its air defense systems were intercepting them.
Iran also vowed revenge and said the US would be held “responsible for the consequences.” State TV reported that strikes hit civilian areas in Tehran, killing and injuring non-combatants.
Iran’s oil ministry said key refineries and fuel depots were not damaged and that operations were continuing normally.
International reaction
Saudi Arabia, which restored ties with Iran two years ago, condemned the Israeli attack as a violation of international law and Iranian sovereignty.
Japan also criticized the strikes. Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya called for restraint, warning that escalating violence threatens the entire region.
Oman, which was scheduled to host nuclear talks, called the Israeli operation a “dangerous escalation.”
Senator Jack Reed, a top US Democrat, said Israel’s “alarming decision” risked setting off broader regional violence.
What’s next?
Israel remains on high alert. It has declared a state of emergency and closed its airspace. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that retaliation from Iran could come “at any moment.”
Oil prices jumped 12% on the news, though Iranian officials said their energy infrastructure was unaffected.
The UN and world powers are watching closely to see if diplomatic efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear program can continue — or if the region will spiral into a broader war.