Israel launches massive strikes on Iranian nuclear, military targets

The Times of Israel reports.

On the night of June 13, Israel launched massive strikes throughout Iran. The targets of the attacks were nuclear and military facilities, military leaders, and nuclear scientists. The targets were uranium enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordow, missile bases in Kermanshah and Khorramabad, facilities in Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, Qom and other major cities.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared a state of emergency across the country and warned that an Iranian retaliatory strike is expected. Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv has been closed, and Israel’s air defense units have been placed on high alert.

“Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,” Katz says.

Iran has launched over 100 drones toward Israel

In the morning, IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Efi Defrin reported that Iran had launched over 100 drones toward Israel. According to him, the IDF is working to intercept them.

Drones launched from Iran would take several hours to reach Israel.

Netanyahu addressed the nation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his address to the nation, stated that the strikes were carried out due to Iran's progress toward developing nuclear weapons, which posed a threat to Israel's existence.

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel had targeted the core of Iran's nuclear program. He warned that if Iran is not stopped, it could acquire nuclear weapons within months or a year, posing a direct and serious threat to Israel’s very existence.

He explained that Iran had accumulated enough highly enriched uranium to produce nine atomic bombs and, in recent months, had taken steps to convert it into nuclear weapons. The Israeli Prime Minister also stressed that "the operation against Iran will continue for as long as necessary."

Consequences of impacts

According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, was killed in an Israeli attack. Several high-ranking officials of the organization were killed along with him. The IRGC has already confirmed the death of its leader. Israel also eliminated the Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Mohammad Bagheri. This was reported by Iranian state television, CNN reports.

The Iranian Press TV channel claims that an Israeli strike in Tehran has resulted in civilian casualties. Later, they clarified that 5 people were killed and 20 were injured in the capital. In total, at least 50 civilians were injured across the country, including women and children.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei also confirmed the deaths of several commanders and scientists, warning that Israel has "prepared a bitter fate for itself." He vowed that Israel would "receive severe punishment" for its actions.