On Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel carried out a large-scale air operation codenamed “Rising Lion” (Operation Rising Lion), targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military installations, and key commanders. As a result of the attacks, Generals Hossein Salami and Mohammad Bagheri, as well as six leading nuclear scientists, were killed. The targets of Israeli forces included, among others, uranium enrichment plants in Natanz and Fordow, as well as Iran’s missile and air defense infrastructure.en.wikipedia.en.wikipedia.org+3ft.com+3nypost.com+3theaustralian.com.au
In response, on the morning of Saturday, June 14, Iran launched “True Promise III” (Operation True Promise III), firing over 150 ballistic missiles and 100 drones toward Israel. Some of them were intercepted by Israel’s air defense system, but others struck targets within the country, causing destruction in cities such as Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Rishon LeZion. According to Israeli emergency services, at least three people were killed, and over 90 were injured in the attacks.en.wikipedia.org+1thelogicalindian.com+1
Iran’s ambassador to the UN, Amir Saeid Iravani, reported that 78 people, including high-ranking military commanders and scientists, were killed in the Israeli airstrikes, and more than 320 were injured, the majority of them civilians. kyivindependent.com+1apnews.com+1
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the attack as a necessary step to eliminate the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear program, which, according to Israeli intelligence, was approaching the capability of producing fissile material sufficient for the construction of several atomic bombs.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) condemned the attacks on nuclear facilities, emphasizing that such actions could lead to a humanitarian and environmental catastrophe.
U.S. President Donald Trump called on Iran to return to nuclear negotiations, stating that “it is not too late for an agreement,” but Tehran rejected the possibility of dialogue, accusing Washington of supporting Israeli military actions.
Tensions in the Middle East remain high, and the international community fears that the conflict may escalate into a full-scale regional war.