Live: Israel Launches ‘major Strike’ on Iran’s Military & Nuclear Sites – Latest Update

Updated June 13, 2025 (3–4 hours ago)

Just a few hours ago, Israel intensified Operation Rising Lion, unleashing dozens more airstrikes across multiple regions in Iran. The head of Israel’s military described the operation as “very successful,” claiming extensive damage to air defense systems in western Iran en.wikipedia.org+11timesofisrael.com+11time.com+11. Meanwhile, Iran retaliated by launching over 100 drones, which are currently being intercepted near Israel’s border—air raid sirens continue to blare across Israel, and the nation remains under state of emergency timesofisrael.com+1abcnews.go.com+1.

Israel’s Military Operations

• Operation Rising Lion began early on June 13, 2025, featuring 200 Israeli jets striking over 100 Iranian targets—including nuclear facilities (Natanz, Tehran), missile factories, and senior military residences apnews.com+8reuters.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8.

• Additional strikes this morning focused on air defense infrastructure, aiming to disable Iran’s ability to retaliate effectively youtube.com+15timesofisrael.com+15apnews.com+15.

Details of the Strike

• Senior Iranian figures killed include:

  • IRGC Commander Gen. Hossein Salami

  • Armed Forces Chief Gen. Mohammad Bagheri

  • Nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi‑Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi understandingwar.org+1economictimes.indiatimes.com+1en.wikipedia.org+12apnews.com+12apnews.com+12thetimes.co.uk+6thetimes.co.uk+6apnews.com+6understandingwar.org+4en.wikipedia.org+4economictimes.indiatimes.com+4.

Iran’s Retaliation

• Tehran responded within hours, dispatching 100+ drones toward Israel apnews.com+7thetimes.co.uk+7abcnews.go.com+7.

• Israeli forces are actively intercepting drones outside national airspace, with sirens warning civilians across major cities .

Regional & Global Impact

• Airspace closures: Iran, Israel, Jordan, Iraq all shut their skies to civilian traffic .

• Oil & gold prices spiked sharply amid fears of broader conflict apnews.com+5thetimes.co.uk+5economictimes.indiatimes.com+5.

• U.S. involvement: The U.S. maintains it was not militarily involved, only protecting its forces and urging both nations to show restraint .

• Global diplomatic reactions varied:

  • Indonesia and Saudi Arabia condemned the strikes en.wikipedia.org+10reuters.com+10thetimes.co.uk+10.

  • EU, UN, UK, India, China called for calm and a return to negotiations .

Strategic Analysis & Context

• This strike is the largest Israeli attack on Iranian soil since the 1980s Iran–Iraq War apnews.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2.

• A recent IAEA censure of Iran over nuclear inspections set the stage for this operation, undermining diplomatic negotiations days before planned talks apnews.com+1wsj.com+1.

• Israel’s goal appears to be a decapitation strike: neutralizing IRGC and military leadership while crippling nuclear and missile infrastructure en.wikipedia.org+5understandingwar.org+5en.wikipedia.org+5.

What’s Coming Next?

1. Iranian retaliation may escalate—from drones to ballistic missiles or proxy attacks via Hezbollah.

2. Israel remains at high alert, with expanded emergency measures and ongoing air-defense deployment.

3. Diplomatic efforts have ramped up: the U.S. and allies are urging de-escalation, though nuclear talks are now in jeopardy.

4. Market volatility in energy and commodities may continue as tensions persist.