Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the operation, codenamed “Rising Lion”, as a decisive pre‑emptive action aimed at eliminating what Israel described as an “existential threat” posed by Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Early damage reports indicate strikes on Iran’s main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, missile production sites, Revolutionary Guard Corps headquarters in Tehran, and senior military and nuclear figures including General Hossein Salami.
Iranian state television acknowledged the blasts in Tehran, reporting fire at the IRGC headquarters and suspected deaths among top commanders and nuclear scientists. The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that Natanz was struck and has begun assessing any nuclear safety impact.
Following the strikes, oil prices climbed sharply. Global markets registered heightened volatility as international leaders voiced alarm and urged restraint. The United States, led by President Trump, reaffirmed its lack of participation in the operation and underscored protection of American forces in the region, cautioning Iran against targeting U.S. assets.
The action arrives on the eve of a scheduled round of nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran in Oman, a timetable now jeopardised by heightened hostilities. Israeli officials emphasise that diplomatic channels had failed repeatedly to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, with Israeli military intelligence asserting Iran was nearing the capacity to produce nuclear weapons within months.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the strikes as a dire assault on national sovereignty, promising “severe punishment”. State media reports indicate Iran has grounded all flights, closed airspace, and issued a media blackout ahead of possible counter‑attacks, as IRGC spokesperson Abolfazl Shekarchi publicly stated that any aggression would be answered with force.
Israel enacted wide-ranging protective measures at home, including grounding air traffic, activating air‑raid sirens, issuing shelter‑in‑place orders, and announcing school closures for the first half of Friday. Defence Minister Katz emphasised that the Israeli population must be ready for “immediate” Iranian retaliation via missile or drone.
Defence analysts observe that this level of cross‑border air campaign not seen in four decades could significantly recalibrate regional strategic dynamics. The simultaneous use of air power and clandestine sabotage—allegedly coordinated with Mossad—demonstrates a coordinated, multi‑layered Israeli military approach.
Diplomatic actors including the United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres have urged both sides to “exercise maximum restraint”, warning that escalation could draw in global powers and destabilise the wider Middle East. Analysts also highlight the risk that Iran could retreat from IAEA oversight completely and intensify its uranium enrichment in the wake of this assault.
With the situation evolving rapidly, Tehran and Jerusalem stand on a collision course. International mediators now face the challenge of preventing a spiral of retaliatory violence while nuclear diplomacy remains on life support. No clear indicators yet suggest either side is prepared to step back from confrontation.