On Friday, June 13, Israel launched a massive military assault on Iran, targeting nuclear facilities and key military infrastructure. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), dozens of fighter jets carried out precision strikes in multiple regions across Iran, marking the first phase of Operation Rising Lion. The IDF confirmed that the targets included Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities and strategic military assets.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation shortly after the strikes, confirming that Israel aimed to eliminate the growing Iranian threat. He said Israeli forces struck Iran’s “nuclear weaponisation programme,” its “ballistic missile programme,” and even targeted top nuclear scientists. Netanyahu emphasized that Iran had enriched enough uranium to create nine atomic bombs, warning that Tehran could develop a nuclear weapon within months if left unchecked.
The June 13 airstrikes come amid soaring tensions between Israel and Iran, especially following the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran an existential threat and views the operation as a critical move to dismantle Iran’s regional influence and military power. Netanyahu accused Iran of turning its “genocidal rhetoric” into real nuclear ambitions, declaring that Israel will take decisive action to protect its future.
