On June 13, Israel launched a massive military operation targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, military leadership, and missile systems. Key locations hit included Tehran and the Natanz uranium enrichment site. Iran responded by launching over 100 drones toward Israel, though many were intercepted.
The Israeli offensive, described by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a necessary move to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions, killed several top Iranian commanders, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami and military head Mohammad Bagheri. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed revenge, saying Israel had “prepared a bitter fate for itself.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed a strike on Natanz but reported no radiation leaks. Meanwhile, U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said American forces were not involved. Donald Trump, while supporting Israel’s right to act, warned Iran to make a nuclear deal “before there is nothing left.”
The strikes disrupted ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and sparked global backlash. Arab nations condemned the attack, while European leaders offered mixed responses. Oil prices spiked and global markets dipped over fears of wider conflict.