Middle East on edge: Israel attacks Iran’s nuclear and military sites

The Israeli Air Force launched airstrikes on Iranian territory during the night of June 13, in what is being described as a major escalation in the region. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, who confirmed the operation, said the strike was in response to a series of recent missile and drone attacks on Israel.

According to Iranian state television, loud explosions were heard across various districts of Tehran, prompting the country to activate its full air defense systems. Flights at the main Imam Khomeini International Airport were suspended, and Israel also closed its airspace. Several international flights were diverted to alternative airports, including one in Tashkent, due to Iranian airspace restrictions.

Israel’s military confirmed it had launched an operation codenamed "World of Lions", targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that Iran possesses sufficient enriched uranium to produce up to 15 nuclear warheads within days, which, they said, necessitated immediate action.

The IDF stated that dozens of military and nuclear-related facilities were struck, including areas near the Natanz nuclear complex. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said:

 “We struck the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. We also hit the center of its ballistic missile program. Iran still has significant capabilities to threaten us. This operation will continue as long as necessary.”

According to international outlets, including "Reuters", the strikes also targeted high-level Iranian military and scientific personnel. Reports suggest that the operation killed Major General Hossein Salami, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, and injured top security advisor Ali Shamkhani.

Subsequent updates from Iranian sources reported the deaths of additional senior figures, including:

• Colonel General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces
• Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Commander of IRGC Aerospace Forces
•  Major General Gholam Ali Rashid, head of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Command
•  Fereydoun Abbasi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran

In response, Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the attack and promised harsh retaliation. He appointed Habibollah Sayyari as acting Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, while former Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi was named Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC.

Meanwhile, Israeli military spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin confirmed that Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel in retaliation. The drones are expected to take between 7–9 hours to reach their targets, with cruise missiles estimated at 2 hours and ballistic missiles at around 12 minutes. The Israeli Air Force is actively working to intercept the incoming threats.

Footage of Iranian drones en route to Israel has surfaced across media and social platforms. In anticipation of potential attacks, Israeli citizens have rushed to supermarkets to stock up on essentials, especially with the Jewish Sabbath approaching, during which stores typically close from Friday evening to Saturday evening.

Defense Minister Katz has declared a nationwide state of emergency. Public gatherings, educational activities, and production operations have been suspended as of 03:00. Air raid sirens have been heard throughout Israel.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States was not involved in the Israeli operation.

“Israel took unilateral action against Iran tonight. We are not participating in any attacks on Iran. Our priority remains the safety of American forces in the region,” Rubio said, urging Tehran not to retaliate against U.S. assets.

Rubio said that Israel informed Washington its actions were “necessary for self-defense.”

In response to a possible Iranian missile attack on Israel, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Israel urged Uzbek citizens in the country to take immediate precautions. Shortly thereafter, the Uzbek Embassy in Iran also advised Uzbek nationals to strictly observe security measures. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan issued an official warning to its citizens residing in both Iran and Israel.

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