The long-simmering hostility between Israel and Iran erupted into a direct and unprecedented military confrontation on June 12–13, 2025, when Israel launched a massive airstrike campaign targeting Iran’s military and nuclear facilities. This marked a dramatic escalation in a conflict that has, until now, primarily been waged through proxies and cyber warfare.
In what is being referred to as “Operation Rising Lion,” Israeli forces struck over 100 key locations across Iran, including nuclear enrichment sites, command centers of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and key weapons manufacturing hubs. The strikes were surgical yet devastating—crippling parts of Iran’s defense infrastructure and killing several high-ranking officials, including General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s armed forces chief of staff.
This article delves into how the conflict unfolded, what provoked it, how both nations and the global community are reacting, and the critical risks now looming for the Middle East and the world.
The Trigger: Years in the Making
Tensions between Israel and Iran are not new. The two countries have been locked in a shadow war for decades, rooted in Iran’s support for anti-Israel proxy groups (like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza) and Israel’s firm opposition to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
In the months leading up to the June 2025 strikes, signs of worsening tensions were everywhere:
- Iran resumed high-level uranium enrichment activities after the collapse of diplomatic talks with the U.S. and European Union.
- Israel accused Iran of building a nuclear weapon under the guise of civilian energy programs—a claim supported by some recent IAEA inspections.
- Iranian proxies in Syria and Lebanon had been increasing cross-border rocket fire into Israeli territory.
- Diplomatic channels between Tehran and Washington had gone cold, and regional intelligence suggested an Iranian breakthrough in nuclear weapons development was imminent.
With intelligence assessments reportedly confirming that Iran was mere weeks away from nuclear weapon capability, Israel’s war cabinet approved what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a “preventive strike necessary for national survival.”
The Strikes: What Happened on June 12–13
Israel launched its most extensive military operation on Iranian soil to date. Strikes were carried out by a combination of stealth fighter jets, drones, and cyber attacks aimed at:
- Nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan
- IRGC command centers and missile production sites
- Air defense systems and radar installations
Iranian state television initially downplayed the damage but later confirmed that several “military and scientific installations” were hit. The most significant blow came with the confirmed death of General Bagheri, a key architect of Iran’s defense strategy.
Iran’s air defense forces engaged incoming aircraft and drones but were overwhelmed by the scale and precision of the assault. Explosions rocked multiple provinces, sending shockwaves across the region.
Iran’s Response: Retaliation and Warning
Iran’s immediate reaction was swift and defiant. Within hours of the strikes:
- Over 100 drones and short-range missiles were launched toward Israel from Iranian territory and its proxy forces.
- Most were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome and Arrow-3 defense systems, but alerts were sounded in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem.
- Iranian officials declared the Israeli strikes a “declaration of war.”
- Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “unlimited retaliation at a time and place of our choosing.”
In a rare public address, Iran’s President also announced the suspension of all diplomatic talks with Western powers, accused the U.S. of complicity in the attack, and warned neighboring Arab states against siding with Israel.
Israel’s Position: A Necessary Action
In a televised address to the nation, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu defended the operation as “a moment of national courage.” He stated:
“We will not sit idly by while a regime committed to our destruction builds the means to carry it out. We struck to prevent catastrophe, and we will continue to strike if needed.”
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed that the operation achieved most of its primary objectives and warned Iran against further aggression.
Israel also raised military readiness to its highest level, mobilizing reserve forces and preparing civil defense shelters across the country.
International Reaction: Shock, Warnings, and Mediation Calls
The international community reacted with a mix of alarm, condemnation, and calls for de-escalation.
- United States: President Trump urged restraint but reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense. The Pentagon denied direct involvement but confirmed that U.S. forces in the region were on high alert.
- Russia and China: Condemned the Israeli strikes and warned against dragging the region into a full-scale war.
- European Union: Called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting and began drafting a ceasefire resolution.
- Oil markets: Prices spiked sharply amid fears of broader regional instability, with Brent crude jumping 7% overnight.
- Saudi Arabia and UAE: Expressed concern over potential spillover into the Gulf, increased security measures at oil facilities, and urged both nations to avoid further conflict.
Even countries historically aligned with Israel, such as the UK and Germany, expressed concern over the risks of escalation into a full-blown regional war.
What Comes Next: Scenarios and Stakes
As of now, a broader regional war has not erupted, but the risk remains high. Military analysts and diplomats are watching several key flashpoints:
1. Iran’s Next Move
Will Iran launch a direct missile barrage? Or escalate through its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, or Iraq? Many expect a multi-front retaliation designed to test Israel’s defenses without provoking a full counter-invasion.
2. Hezbollah and the Lebanese Front
Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful regional ally, could open a northern front. Skirmishes have already increased along Israel’s northern border.
3. Cyber Warfare
Iran and Israel both possess significant cyber capabilities. Cyberattacks on infrastructure (banks, airports, power grids) could increase dramatically.
4. Global Oil Supply
With Iran potentially targeting shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, oil transport could be disrupted, impacting global markets further.
5. Diplomatic Channels
Emergency diplomacy may take place through intermediaries such as Qatar, Turkey, or Oman to establish a temporary ceasefire or confidence-building measures.
Conclusion: A Turning Point for the Middle East
The Israeli strikes on Iran represent a historic moment in Middle Eastern geopolitics. For the first time, a direct Israeli assault on Iran’s core defense infrastructure has taken place openly and at scale.
This marks not just a military escalation but a strategic gamble by Israel to alter the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear ambitions—possibly setting the stage for a broader confrontation involving regional and global powers.
The coming days will be critical. Whether the situation spirals into a regional war or becomes an opening for a new round of negotiations will depend on the decisions made in Tehran, Tel Aviv, and Washington.
The world watches anxiously.