Israel launched a major military operation early Friday targeting Iran’s nuclear program and long-range missile capabilities. According to the IDF spokesperson, dozens of aircraft carried out the initial wave of strikes, hitting multiple sites across Iran, including nuclear facilities. As of 6 AM Israel time, there have been at least three waves of aerial attacks.
رسانه‌های نزدیک به سپاه می‌گویند این انفجار در یک ساختمان مسکونی در منطقه فرحزاد تهران صورت گرفته است pic.twitter.com/6dYYy6Wcuj
— Saman Rasoulpour (@SamRasoulpour) June 13, 2025
Iranian media and the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen network reported that Israel struck several key sites, including the nuclear facility in Natanz, missile bases near Tehran, and military installations in the city of Kermanshah. Iranian state television noted that no signs of radioactive contamination had been detected following the strike on the Natanz nuclear facility.
Additional Israeli airstrikes were reportedly observed in the areas of Khandab and Khorramabad. According to these reports, Israel also targeted the general headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Two prominent Iranian nuclear scientists, Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Taranchi, were reportedly killed during the operation.
At the same time, Mossad reportedly conducted a series of assassinations inside Iran. According to Mehr News, “IRGC commander in chief Major General Hossein Salami was martyred in Israeli regime’s airstrikes on Tehran early on Friday.” Also according to Mehr, “Commander of Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters Major General Gholamali Rashid was martyred.”
Mehr added: Since a few minutes ago, explosions have been heard in Isfahan province, especially in the northern region. These sounds are heard every few seconds. Local officials say they are investigating.”
نتانیابو : ما سایت غنی‌سازی اورانیوم در نطنز و مقامات هسته‌ای و نظامی ایران در تهران را هدف قرار دادیم.
گور خودت را کندی اسراییل حرامزاده pic.twitter.com/2ouRgPspht
— ????????امینی آزاده???????? (@Aminii23) June 13, 2025
Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said that Iran would “decisively respond to the airstrikes of the Israeli regime on the country’s territory.”
Shekarchi added, “Our enemies should expect strong responses from the armed forces. The armed forces are fully prepared and will definitely respond forcefully to these actions. Retaliation will be decisive, and the Zionist regime and the United States will pay a very heavy price.”
In anticipation of possible retaliation, Israel declared a special state of emergency on the home front. Citizens were instructed to remain near protected shelters, schools across the country were closed, and Israeli airspace was shut down. The cabinet is currently convening to assess the situation.
The first wave of attack immediately followed a cabinet vote around midnight.
منطقه مرزداران – تهران
لامصب خونه های فرماندهان سپاه نقطه زنی کردن pic.twitter.com/tREWq9ZdOp
— صورتی کالباسی ???????? (@B72_SE) June 13, 2025
A NATION RISING LIKE A LION
A senior political source told Channel 14 that the decision to launch the operation was made three days ago by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A security official added that both Netanyahu and Katz signed the IDF briefing order last Monday, in coordination with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and set Friday as the operation’s launch date.
Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed the nation, stating: “Citizens of Israel, my voice is hoarse tonight, but our message resounds loud and clear. We are at a defining moment in the history of our nation. A short time ago, we launched Operation Am KeLavi (Lit: a nation rising like a lion, based on Numbers 23:24). Our brave pilots are currently striking a wide array of targets across Iran.
“The goal of this unprecedented operation is to significantly damage Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, its ballistic missile production facilities, and other critical military capabilities. This campaign will continue as long as necessary to eliminate the existential threat that looms over Israel.”
Speaking about the name of the operation, Netanyahu added: “We stand united—in destiny, in mutual responsibility, and in the unique spirit of our people. As the scripture says, ‘Lo, a nation that rises like a lion, leaps up like a lion.’ This spirit gives us immense strength—to take initiative, to act decisively, and, with God’s help, to prevail.”
Like “snow” in Inuit languages, Hebrew has many synonyms for “lion,” and two different ones are used in the verse in Numbers. English only has “lion.”
The IDF emphasized the strategic rationale behind the operation, stating:
“The Iranian regime has openly declared its goal of destroying the State of Israel. Senior officials within the regime consistently make this intention clear and are actively working to achieve it through their proxies across the Middle East. Iran is now closer than ever to acquiring nuclear weapons. The possession of weapons of mass destruction by the Iranian regime poses an existential threat to Israel and a grave danger to the entire world. The State of Israel will not permit a regime committed to its destruction to obtain such capabilities.”
The IDF further noted that extensive preparations were made ahead of the operation:
“The IDF has undertaken a thorough and prolonged process of operational and strategic planning, both at the front and on the home front. Civilian resilience will play a critical role in the success of this campaign. The IDF is fully prepared to continue operations as necessary. Israel has a fundamental duty to protect its citizens and will continue to do so, wherever and whenever required, just as it has in the past. The IDF is conducting ongoing situation assessments and will provide updates as developments unfold.”
FORTRESS ISRAEL
Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a special state of emergency on the home front across the entire country, citing the high likelihood of an imminent missile and drone retaliation targeting Israeli civilians.
“In light of the expected response from Iran and in accordance with his authority under the Civil Defense Law,” the Defense Ministry stated, “Defense Minister Israel Katz has signed a special emergency order, placing the entire home front under a state of emergency. All citizens are required to strictly follow the directives issued by the Home Front Command and remain near protected shelters.”
The Health Ministry also announced a comprehensive emergency response: “Due to the special situation on the home front, the Ministry’s operational headquarters began functioning approximately an hour ago,” the statement said. The Director General of the Ministry has instructed all hospitals to escalate to their highest alert level, relocate operations to protected areas, and activate underground emergency facilities.
As part of the emergency measures: Outpatient and non-urgent (elective) procedures have been suspended; Health fund clinics and family health centers (“milk drop” clinics) will remain closed, except for essential services such as dialysis: Hospitals have been directed to discharge non-critical patients, either to their homes or to suitable continued-care institutions.
The Ministry emphasized that it is in constant coordination with the IDF, hospitals, health funds, and Magen David Adom (MDA), and is receiving continuous updates from all healthcare providers. The public is urged not to visit hospitals unless absolutely necessary.
The Transportation Ministry has announced the closure of Israeli airspace to all takeoffs and landings until further notice. The decision was made as a precautionary measure in light of the current security situation.
“The closure is intended to prevent and reduce risk to passengers and aircraft,” the Ministry stated. “Passengers scheduled to depart from Ben Gurion Airport today are instructed to remain at home and not come to the airport.”
The Ministry assured the public that passengers will be notified through the media at least six hours in advance of the airspace reopening. Updated flight information will be available on the websites of individual airlines as well as the Airports Authority’s official site.
Passengers currently abroad whose flights were canceled, rerouted, or delayed are advised to monitor media updates and check airline websites once the airspace is reopened for updated flight schedules.
