EditIsrael’s strike on Iran’s nuclear and missile sites escalates Middle East tensions
The U.S. distanced itself from the operation, though Trump acknowledged the likelihood of such action a day earlier
On Friday (13June) Israel launched a sweeping military operation, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and key military commanders.
The strikes, which included attacks on the Natanz uranium enrichment facility and the headquarters of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in Tehran, marked a significant escalation in the decades-long shadow war between Israel and Iran.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as a critical move to thwart Iran’s potential to develop nuclear weapons, warning that it would continue “for as many days as it takes” to neutralize the threat. Iranian state media reported devastating losses, including the death of Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami, nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, and several children in a residential strike in Tehran.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the attacks as a “wicked and bloody” crime, vowing a “bitter fate” for Israel.
As Tel Aviv declared a state of emergency, closing Ben Gurion Airport and mobilizing tens of thousands of soldiers, global markets shuddered.
Oil prices surged, and Asian stocks plummeted amid fears of Iranian retaliation, potentially involving missile and drone strikes.
The United States, Israel’s closest ally, denied direct involvement, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizing that Israel acted unilaterally in self-defence. However, Iran accused Washington of complicity, raising the spectre of a broader regional conflict in a volatile oil-producing region.
Targets and tactics
Israel’s operation was meticulously planned, combining airstrikes with covert sabotage led by the Mossad, according to Axios. The primary target was Iran’s Natanz facility, a cornerstone of its uranium enrichment program, which Israeli officials claim could produce enough material for 15 nuclear bombs within days. Other targets included ballistic missile factories and air defence systems, aimed at crippling Iran’s ability to retaliate.
The killing of Hossein Salami and two prominent nuclear scientists signalled Israel’s intent to disrupt both Iran’s military leadership and its nuclear expertise. Iranian state media reported civilian casualties, including children, in a residential area of Tehran, prompting outrage and fuelling calls for vengeance.
The New York Times reported that Israel’s strikes were preceded by months of intelligence gathering, with Mossad operatives infiltrating Iranian networks to identify vulnerabilities in its nuclear and missile infrastructure. Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir called the campaign “historic,” framing it as a preemptive necessity to counter an “existential threat” from Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Israel’s strategic calculus
Israel’s decision to launch such a bold operation reflects growing alarm over Iran’s nuclear advancements and its expanding regional influence. Despite a U.S. intelligence assessment, cited by Reuters, that Iran has not restarted its nuclear weapons program since 2003, Israel has long maintained that Tehran’s enrichment activities and ballistic missile development pose an imminent danger.
The deadlock in nuclear talks, scheduled for a sixth round in Oman on 15 June, likely accelerated Israel’s timeline. Netanyahu’s government, facing domestic pressure to act decisively, views Iran’s nuclear program as a red line, particularly given Tehran’s support for proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, which have clashed with Israel in recent years.
The strikes also serve a broader strategic purpose: reasserting Israel’s military dominance in the region and deterring Iran from further provocations. The New York Times noted that Israel’s operation was partly motivated by Iran’s recent missile tests and its backing of militia attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets in Syria and Iraq. By targeting both nuclear and missile infrastructure, Israel aims to delay Iran’s capabilities while signalling to other adversaries – such as Hezbollah in Lebanon – that it is prepared for multi-front conflicts.
The U.S. role: denial amid coordination
The United States has publicly distanced itself from the operation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating, “We are not involved in strikes against Iran.” President Donald Trump, convening a National Security Council meeting on 13 June, reiterated hopes for a peaceful resolution, though he acknowledged the likelihood of Israeli action just a day earlier. Despite these denials, an Israeli official told Kan that the strikes were coordinated with Washington, suggesting at least tacit U.S. approval.
The U.S.’s careful positioning reflects its complex priorities in the Middle East. On one hand, Washington supports Israel’s right to self-defence and shares concerns about Iran’s nuclear program. On the other, the Biden administration’s withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) under Trump in 2018, coupled with Trump’s aggressive stance in his second term, has strained U.S.-Iran relations, making de-escalation difficult.
The State Department’s advisory for U.S. employees in Israel to “shelter in place” and preparations for potential evacuations underscore fears of Iranian retaliation targeting American interests. Iran’s accusation that the U.S. provided support, echoed by its armed forces spokesperson, could draw Washington into a conflict it seeks to avoid, especially as oil prices spike and global markets react.
Iran’s response and regional risks
Iran’s vow of a “heavy price” signals a high likelihood of retaliation, potentially through missile or drone strikes on Israeli civilian and military targets. Tehran’s proxies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, could escalate attacks, broadening the conflict. The New York Times reported that Iran’s air defenses, already weakened by Israeli sabotage, may struggle to counter further strikes, but its ballistic missile arsenal remains a significant threat. Posts on X speculated that Iran might target U.S. bases in Iraq or Syria.
The strikes come at a time of heightened regional tension. Iran’s support for Russia in Ukraine, including drone supplies, has strained its relations with the West, while its crackdowns on domestic protests following Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022 have weakened its internal stability. The killing of Salami and nuclear scientists could galvanize hardliners, potentially pushing Iran to accelerate its nuclear program in defiance, despite U.S. claims that it is not currently pursuing a weapon. The failure of nuclear talks in Oman, combined with Israel’s preemptive action, risks collapsing diplomatic efforts entirely, leaving military escalation as the dominant dynamic.
A region on the brink
Israel’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure mark a pivotal moment in the Middle East, pushing the region closer to open conflict. While Netanyahu frames the operation as essential for Israel’s survival, the deaths of civilians and Iranian commanders risk igniting a cycle of retaliation that could destabilize the region and beyond. The U.S.’s hands-off stance, coupled with global economic tremors, underscores the fragility of the current order. As Iran weighs its response and Israel braces for counterattacks, the world watches a region teetering on the edge, with consequences that could reshape geopolitical alignments and energy markets for years to come.
Sources: Reuters, The New York Times, Axios, edited by g.g.
Caption: Fire fighters work outside a building that was hit by Israeli air strikes north of Tehran, Iran, 13 June 2025. Israel confirms it has launched strikes on Iran’s ‘nuclear program’ as blasts are heard across the country. The strikes are part of Operation Rising Lion, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, adding Iran was a threat to “Israel’s very survival”. [EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH]
Updated: June 13, 2025 - 05:59
