Israel Launches Operation Rising Lion Against Iranian Nuclear Sites
Israel conducted massive preemptive strikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets, prompting retaliatory missile barrages and the cancellation of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations.
On June 13, 2025, Benjamin Netanyahu authorized Operation Rising Lion, a large-scale preemptive military campaign targeting Iran's nuclear infrastructure and military leadership. Utilizing over 200 aircraft and drones smuggled into the country by Mossad, Israel struck the Natanz uranium enrichment facility—destroying its above-ground pilot plant—as well as sites in Fordo and Isfahan. The strikes killed approximately 78 people, including high-ranking officials such as IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, along with nine nuclear scientists.
Iran retaliated with Operation True Promise 3, launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones toward Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. While most were intercepted by Israeli and U.S. air defenses, the barrages caused at least three deaths and dozens of injuries in Israel, with significant damage reported in Rishon LeZion and Ramat Gan. In response, Israel expanded its campaign on June 14 to target energy infrastructure, including the South Pars gas field in Bushehr Province.
The escalation caused global oil prices to surge and triggered a sell-off in international stock markets. Diplomatic efforts collapsed as Iran indefinitely suspended a sixth round of nuclear talks with the United States scheduled in Oman. While Donald Trump praised the strikes as excellent and urged Iran to reach a nuclear deal to avoid further destruction, he and the U.S. government denied direct involvement in the initial offensive. International bodies, including the United Nations and the IAEA, called for maximum restraint to avoid a regional war.
