Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on June 14, 2025, that air and drone strikes against Iranian territory, including surface-to-surface missile launch sites, have begun. This followed Operation Rising Lion launched the day prior, which struck over 100 military and nuclear facilities across Iran. For more information, see Wikipedia or The Guardian (US).
According to Israeli military sources, as the IDF continues its assault, “dozens” of missile launchers remain targeted by their attack. While initially attacks targeted air-defense systems surrounding Tehran, subsequent waves have focused on missile sites across various provinces.
These operations reportedly destroyed critical installations in Natanz and Isfahan as well as eliminating high-value targets–such as senior Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists, according to reports on Wsj.com, APN News Service and NY Post sites (WLJ.com for one, WAP News for another) along with high-profile attacks that killed several high-value targets (wsj.com, APN News Service and NY Post respectively).
Casualty estimates from Iran’s state media point to at least 78 deaths and more than 320 injuries among both civilians and Revolutionary Guard members; according to state media estimates cited by The Guardian and AAPnews.com respectively (inclusive).
Nuclear program engineers and deputy commanders in Iran’s Armed Forces were among those killed, according to abcnews.go.com (with 15 deaths reported by The Guardian and The Times Of India respectively).
Iran quickly responded to the attack, labeling it as an act of violence and issuing an official de facto declaration of war from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran responded with Operation “True Promise III”, firing over 150 ballistic missiles and 100 drones on Israel on June 13 in response. Israel reported intercepting most, however at least three civilian deaths occurred as well as numerous injuries sustained from these strikes resulting in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas being affected by these strikes, according to Israeli media reports.
Israeli strikes against Iran reflect their determination to neutralize long-range attack capabilities of Tehran (APNews.com/Tweeter, Guardian/Timesofindia.indiatimes.com, Times of India) with “continuous strikes still hitting multiple missile launchers”, according to Israeli media outlets and analysts (AP News/The Guardian/Times of India/Times Of India etc). The ongoing Israeli military strikes continue, still hitting “dozens” of missile launchers (Reuters/APnews/The Guardian etc).
Global alarm has mounted as both sides escalade. The UN Secretary-General, world leaders from UK, France, Turkey, Russia and Egypt among others have called for immediate de-escalation, according to The Times (UK).
Oil markets reacted swiftly to the violence. Brent Crude surged by more than 10%, reflecting concerns of instability in the Strait of Hormuz region.
Diplomatic efforts appear to have hit an impasse: Iran has suspended the sixth round of nuclear negotiations scheduled to be held in Muscat as it deems them “meaningless” while hostilities escalate.
International Atomic Energy Agency has expressed alarm at recent attacks against nuclear facilities, noting the environmental and nuclear safety risks posed by damage to enrichment infrastructure.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended the campaign as necessary to prevent Iran from reaching nuclear weapon capability, warning that it will last as many days as needed. Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning should Tehran continue with missile strikes: if so “Tehran will burn”. (reuters.com/t/xuwvVN +4). (FT.com +4; CBSNews +4).
IDF forces have also deployed thousands of reserve soldiers and repositioned forces across Israel’s borders in preparation for any further escalation. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have enforced internet and media blackouts in order to control public reactions (en.wikipedia.org).
Israel and Iran have engaged in an unprecedented direct confrontation, marked by heavy direct strikes between them in decades. This unprecedented confrontation is on a collision course towards all-out war as military pressure, diplomatic breakdown, and global economic ramifications highlight its scope and consequences. Both nations appear locked into reciprocal strikes which has international mediators calling for calm; yet on-the-ground reports confirm Israel continues targeting Iranian military infrastructure as of June 14.
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