Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced the start of Operation Rising Lion, aimed at Iran's nuclear program. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz called the actions a "preemptive strike" and warned his compatriots of the threat of a possible retaliatory attack from Tehran.
According to Iranian media, explosions were heard in a number of cities in the country, including the capital. According to Reuters, possible victims of the strikes include the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Mohammad Bagheri. According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, IRGC commander Hossein Salami was also killed.
"Israel has just launched Operation Lion Rising, a targeted military operation to eliminate the threat that Iran poses to Israel's very survival. "This operation will last as many days as necessary," Netanyahu said, adding that the main goal of the strikes was to disrupt Iran's nuclear program.
“We struck the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program, we struck the heart of Iran's nuclear weapons program, we attacked Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz, we attacked the best nuclear physicists who worked on the Iranian bomb, and we struck the heart of Iran's missile program,“ he added.
According to Israeli military spokeswoman Effie Defrin, the first phase of the operation, which involved dozens of aircraft, has been completed. It included “strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different parts of Iran“. As Katz stated, “following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, an attack using missiles and drones against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the very near future“.
The residents of Israel received an urgent warning from the army at 03:00 with a requirement to strictly follow the expected instructions of the rear command. Later, an order was issued to move to protected areas and stay near them.
As reported by the Chief of the General Staff of the Defense Forces, Eyal Zamir, in the event of a retaliatory attack by Iran, the expected losses of Israel will be different from the usual.
The Israeli Ministry of Transportation announced the closure of the country's airspace.
According to the Fars Agency, at least six explosions were heard in the Iranian capital.
According to the Al Masirah TV channel, the Iranian cities of Natanz, Khorramabad and Hamadan were hit.
The Al Mayadeen TV channel indicated that the Israeli attack was against the Natanz nuclear facility.
According to Al Jazeera, the attacks were aimed at the Mahalati district in northeastern Tehran, which is known for being home to military bases. officials.
"The New York Times" reported, citing Iranian officials, that residential buildings in two high-security compounds for the Islamic Republic's military command were also hit.
Reuters reported that Iran's Chief of Staff, General Bagheri, was likely killed in an Israeli strike on Iran. According to Tasnim, another victim of the strikes was IRGC commander Salami.
Al Mayadeen reported that Iran had also closed its airspace.
First foreign reaction
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Israel had notified US authorities of the start of the operation. At the same time, the Jewish state said that "these actions are necessary for its defense".
Rubio stressed that the Israeli operation is being carried out without US participation. "We have not participated in any strikes against Iran and our primary objective is to protect American forces in the region," the secretary of state said.
He issued a warning to Tehran: "Iran must not take action against American interests or personnel."
According to the White House, on Friday, June 13, US President Donald Trump will hold a meeting with members of the National Security Council.
The US and Iran have been holding indirect talks with the mediation of Oman since April. The Iranian delegation to the talks is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and the American delegation is led by US President's envoy Stephen Witkoff.
As announced by Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, the sixth round of talks between the US and Iran on the nuclear file is scheduled for June 15.