It seems likely that on June 13, 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, striking over 100 missile and nuclear sites in Iran.
Research suggests the operation targeted key nuclear facilities like Natanz and Fordow, aiming to prevent Iran's nuclear weapon development.
The evidence leans toward significant casualties, with Iranian sources reporting 224+ killed and 1,277+ injured, though exact figures are controversial.
There is some controversy over the operation's impact, with global reactions ranging from praise by the U.S. to calls for de-escalation by other nations.
Operation Rising Lion, launched by Israel on June 13, 2025, was a major military operation targeting Iran's missile and nuclear capabilities. This action is part of the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, escalating tensions in the region.
Israel used over 200 fighter jets, including stealth aircraft, and coordinated drone swarms and Mossad covert operations. Key targets included Natanz, Fordow, and military installations, aiming to disrupt Iran's nuclear program.
Reports indicate significant damage to nuclear sites and the deaths of senior Iranian military leaders, including IRGC commander Hossein Salami. Casualty figures vary, with Iranian sources citing 224+ killed and 1,277+ injured, highlighting the operation's scale.
The U.S. praised the operation, while other countries called for de-escalation, reflecting global concern over the potential for further conflict.
On June 13, 2025, at 12:40 AM PDT, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a significant military operation targeting over 100 missile and nuclear sites in Iran. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the events, drawing from multiple reputable sources to ensure accuracy and depth, reflecting the ongoing dynamics of the Iran-Israel conflict.
The operation began in the early morning of June 13, 2025, with Israel conducting airstrikes across multiple Iranian provinces. Alerts were issued in Israel, and within minutes, it became clear that the IDF and Mossad were executing a coordinated strike, targeting nuclear facilities, military installations, and key infrastructure. The operation involved over 200 fighter jets, including F-35I Adir stealth fighters, and utilized drone swarms, with Mossad establishing a covert drone base near Tehran.
The primary targets included:
Nuclear Facilities: Natanz's Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, with 1,700 centrifuges, was destroyed, along with electrical rooms and nuclear research equipment. Isfahan's uranium conversion facility was damaged, and Fordow sustained limited damage, with no visible impact on underground facilities.
Military Installations: The IRGC headquarters in Tehran was damaged, with at least one killed. Tabriz Shahid Madani International Airport saw numerous buildings destroyed and its runway cratered. Hamadan Airbase had hangar and radar damage, while the Amand Missile Base suffered considerable damage to buildings housing Ghadr-110 missiles. The Kermanshah Underground Missile Facility was reportedly destroyed, with entry points and silo openings collapsed.
Infrastructure: The South Pars Gas Field and Fajr-e Jam Gas Refinery were struck, causing fires, as were the Shahran oil depot and Shahr Rey Oil Refinery. A residential building in Nobonyad Square was destroyed, killing 60, including 20 children.
The stated goal, as articulated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, described as occurring in the "12th hour" to avert a nuclear holocaust. The operation's name, "Rising Lion," is derived from the biblical Book of Numbers (23:24) and may reference the Lion and Sun emblem of pre-1979 Iran, symbolizing a revival of historical symbolism.
The operation was a fusion of advanced military tactics, combining airstrikes with covert operations. Israeli fighter jets, equipped with conformal fuel tanks, conducted large-scale strikes, destroying dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran. Mossad played a crucial role, smuggling precision weapons, sabotaging air defense systems, and missile infrastructure, and establishing a drone base to activate UAVs over surface-to-surface missile launchers aimed at Israel. This coordination overwhelmed Iran's defenses, representing an evolution in modern warfare.
The human toll was significant, with varying reports from different sources:
According to Iranian sources, at least 224 people were killed, predominantly civilians, with 1,277 hospitalized as of June 15, 2025.
HRANA reported 863+ killed and injured as of 22:00 GMT on June 14, 2025.
Specific incidents included the death of IRGC commander Hossein Salami, Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and nine senior nuclear scientists, including Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.
Civilian casualties were notable, with 60 killed in Nobonyad Square, including 20 children, highlighting the conflict's reach into residential areas.
The operation also targeted senior military commanders, with Israel confirming the elimination of six top Iranian military commanders and nine nuclear scientists, reshaping Iran's military leadership. Iran announced replacements, such as General Ahmed Vahidi for Hossein Salami, indicating a rapid response to leadership losses.
Israel's response was part of a broader conflict, with the operation entering its fourth day by June 16, 2025. The IDF conducted five waves of strikes, bombing underground facilities storing dozens of missiles and warning civilians near arms plants to evacuate. The most distant strike hit Mashhad Airport, killing 10 and injuring 200, with 35 missing reported.
The international community expressed significant concern, with the Group of Seven (G7) leaders beginning their summit on June 15, 2025, prioritizing the Israel-Iran conflict. The United States praised the operation, with President Donald Trump stating it was "excellent" and emphasizing that Iran had been given a chance to negotiate but failed to do so. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the U.S. was not involved in strikes but prioritized protecting American forces in the region.
Other countries, including Germany and France, called for de-escalation, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz outlining goals to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons, ensure Israel's right to defend itself, and create room for diplomacy. Nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S., due last Sunday, were scrapped after Tehran refused to negotiate while under attack. Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian told parliament that Iran has no intention to produce nuclear weapons but will pursue nuclear energy and research, adding another layer to diplomatic efforts.
The economic fallout was immediate, with Brent crude futures rising 0.5% in Asian trade on June 16, 2025, to $74.94 a barrel, following a 7% surge the previous week, reflecting market anxiety over potential supply disruptions. Socially, the disparity in shelter access was noted, with civilian vulnerability exacerbated in areas like Tamra, where only 40% have shelters and no public bunkers are available.
To organize the data, here is a table summarizing the casualties and impacts:
Location | Casualties (Deaths) | Injuries | Specific Impacts |
---|---|---|---|
Natanz (Nuclear Facility) | Not specified | Not specified | Destroyed Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant, 1,700 centrifuges, electrical rooms, research equipment |
Fordow (Nuclear Facility) | Not specified | Not specified | Limited damage, no visible impact on underground facilities |
Tehran (IRGC HQ) | At least 1 | Not specified | Headquarters damaged |
Tabriz Shahid Madani Airport | Not specified | Not specified | Numerous buildings destroyed, runway cratered |
Hamadan Airbase | Not specified | Not specified | Hangar and radar damaged |
Amand Missile Base | Not specified | Not specified | Considerable damage to Ghadr-110 missile buildings |
Kermanshah Underground Facility | Not specified | Not specified | Reportedly destroyed, entry points and silo openings collapsed |
South Pars Gas Field/Fajr-e Jam | Not specified | Not specified | Fires caused |
Shahran Oil Depot/Shahr Rey Refinery | Not specified | Not specified | Fires caused |
Nobonyad Square (Residential) | 60 (including 20 children) | Not specified | Building destroyed |
Mashhad Airport | 10 | 200 | Strike reported, 35 missing |
Total (Per Iran) | 224+ (since June 13) | 1,277+ hospitalized | Majority civilians, significant military leadership losses |
Total (Per HRANA, June 14, 22:00 GMT) | 863+ killed and injured | Not specified | Comprehensive count as of reporting |
This table encapsulates the human cost and specific impacts, providing a clear overview for analysis.
Operation Rising Lion, launched on June 13, 2025, represents a critical juncture in the Iran-Israel conflict, with significant strikes on nuclear and military targets, substantial casualties, and global diplomatic efforts. The economic implications, particularly in oil markets, underscore the broader impact on global stability. Continued monitoring and diplomatic engagement will be crucial to prevent further escalation.
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