Israel Launches ‘Major Strike’ On Iran’s Nuclear, Military Sites
By Ted Regencia, Alastair McCready, Ali Harb and Erin Hale
– Israeli military says it launched a wave of strikes against Iranian military and nuclear sites in a major escalation against Tehran.
– Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned Israel that it “must expect severe punishment” following the “crime” of attacking Iran and killing several commanders and scientists.
– Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the military operation will continue as long as necessary.
– Iranian authorities suspend flights at Tehran’s international airport, as news outlets report that residential buildings have been struck in the Iranian capital.
– United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the US is “not involved” in the strikes and warns Iran against attacking American bases in the region.
Al Jazeera correspondent explains Israel and Iran attacks in 2024 versus now
Al Jazeera correspondent Dorsa Jabbari explained that the scope and scale of today’s attack by Israel is much greater than two tit-for-tat attacks last year.
In April 2024, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel after Israel bombed its embassy in Damascus.
This was followed by a second round of missiles in October 2024, just days after Israel assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan.
Israel responded both times by striking Iranian military facilities and key infrastructure.
Jabbari said the 2024 military exchanges between Israel and Iran broke an “important psychological barrier” as the first of their kind since 1979.
The latest round of attacks has pushed the barrier further because they did not come with warnings like on previous occasions.
“This was completely by surprise. And the scale of this attack is much larger and broader. We’re seeing multiple locations – Tabriz, Tehran, Kermanshah, Isfahan, Natanz – under attack. The scale of it, the scope of it, is certainly much larger, and it is continuing. It’s not a one-off. This is not a strategic in-and-out kind of attack, they are continuing as we speak, and we have no idea when they will end,” Jabbari said.
Mediator Oman calls Israeli strikes ‘reckless’ as nuclear talks thrown into doubt
Oman, which has been mediating nuclear talks between the US and Iran over recent months, has decried Israel’s attacks as a “dangerous and reckless escalation” that “violates the principles of international law”.
“[It] represents unacceptable and ongoing aggressive behaviour that undermines the foundations of stability in the region,” the statement said.
“Israel is responsible for this escalation and its consequences.”
Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff was due to meet an Iranian delegation this weekend in Oman for the sixth rounds of talks aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme.
But discussions look in doubt after Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Washington of being complicit in Israel’s strikes and vowed revenge.
Mostly women and children among 50 injured in Israeli attack: Report
Iran’s Tasnim news agency is reporting that at least 50 people injured in the Israeli attack have been transferred to the Chamran Hospital in the northern Tehran district of Tajrish.
According to Tasnim, 35 of those who were injured were women and children.
Jordan closes its airspace
The Hashemite kingdom’s civil aviation authority says it “temporarily” closed Jordanian airspace to all flights “in anticipation of any dangers resulting from the escalation happening in the region”.
Last year, some Iranian missiles that targeted Israeli military bases flew over Jordan.
More on the two top Iranian nuclear scientists assassinated by Israel
Tohid Asadi
Reporting from Tehran, Iran
Fereydoun Abbasi, who was the former chief of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, has been confirmed as being among those assassinated in the attack. Abbasi was also a former member of the Iranian parliament.
Also reported killed was nuclear scientist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, the head of the Islamic Azad University.
The building that houses the residence of Tehranchi was also severely damaged. The building is also home to several Iranian scientists.
This is an unprecedented development that Iran is facing.
Rights group calls on US to ‘decouple’ interests with Israel
DAWN, a human rights advocacy group based in Washington, DC, says the Israeli attacks on Iran are “unlawful” and “unprovoked”.
“The United States should completely decouple its interests from Israel’s reckless war-making and refuse any support, material or political, for these attacks on Iran,” Raed Jarrar, DAWN’s advocacy director, said in a statement.
“We are now seeing Israel unlawfully bombarding Iranian neighborhoods allegedly housing Iranian officials with the same maliciousness it has bombed Lebanon and Gaza.”
Not a question of if Iran will respond to Israel’s attack, but when
Al Jazeera correspondent Dorsa Jabbari said to expect retaliation from Iran in the near future, with meetings reportedly under way between top officials in Tehran.
“[There’s] full-on pressure from inside the country. Even those that may not completely support the government would expect the system to respond. I think it’s very clear now,” Jabbari said.
“It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when Iran will respond,” she said.
Saudi Arabia condemns attacks on Iran
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry calls the Israeli strikes on Iran a clear violation of international laws and norms.
“While the kingdom condemns these heinous attacks, it affirms that the international community and Security Council bear a great responsibility to immediately halt this aggression,” the ministry said in a statement.
Iran’s top general Bagheri assassinated by Israel, Iranian outlets confirm
Initially, official news outlets denied that Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the armed forces, was killed by Israel. But now, several outlets have confirmed that he has been assassinated.
Israeli military confirms strikes on Iran: Report
The Times of Israel reports that the Israeli military has confirmed attacking Iran in an operation dubbed “Rising Lion”.
Several sounds of explosions heard across Tehran
Reporting from Tehran
We have heard several sounds of explosions here in the capital starting at about 3am (23:30 GMT, Thursday) local time.
Between six to nine explosions have been reported across the city. I have personally heard at least two of the explosions.
The explosions did not happen in just one certain place, but rather in different parts of the city.
The state television IRIB has also confirmed the explosions and showed footage of the incidents.
Iran’s Press TV says residential buildings targeted
The official Iranian news outlet shares photos of what it said were residential buildings struck in the apparent Israeli attack.
The pictures show substantial damage to the buildings.
Israel bans gatherings, shuts schools and offices after reported strike on Iran
In a statement issued by an Israeli military spokesperson, a ban has been ordered “on educational activities, gatherings, and workplaces, with the exception of essential businesses” across the country starting at 3am local time (00:00 GMT).
The order comes after reports that Israel has struck targets in Iran.
The statement said that an “immediate change will take place” in the country’s defence policy.
“As part of the changes, it was decided to move all regions of the country from a full activity level to a necessary activity level.”
Israeli military says it struck military and nuclear sites in Iran
The Israeli military has confirmed that it carried out strikes against Iran, using dozens of jets, saying that it targeted military and nuclear sites.
It called the attack “a precise and integrated preemptive strike based on high-quality intelligence, with the aim of striking the Iranian nuclear programme”.
US not involved in strikes against Iran, says top diplomat
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns Iran against targeting US bases in the region, stressing that Washington is not taking part in the Israeli strikes.
“We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense,” Rubio said in a statement.
“President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
US-Iran talks unlikely on Sunday: Analyst
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Iran analyst Trita Parsi said that, with the Israeli strike against Iran early on Friday, the prospects for talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme between the US and Iran are moving “towards a much more negative situation”.
“There’s not going to be any talks this coming Sunday,” Parsi of the Quincy Institute said.
“No one knows when the talks would resume, if they resume at all. We will likely see snapback actions in the UN Security Council against Iran and the reimposition of more sanctions.”
In that scenario, it is “very likely” that Tehran will walk out of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), Parsi added.
“The risk of a larger confrontation will then increase.”
Benjamin Netanyahu says strikes on Iran will continue ‘as long as necessary’
The Israeli prime minister says the attacks are aimed at Iran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missiles and military capabilities.
“This operation will continue as long as necessary, until we complete the mission,” Netanyahu said in a statement.
Flights suspended at Tehran’s main airport
Iran’s Tasnim News Agency says authorities have suspended flights at the Imam Khomeini international airport, but the facility has not been directly affected by the Israeli attacks.
All indications that US was aware of Israel’s plans to attack Iran
Certainly, all the arrows point in that direction – that Donald Trump was told that there was going to be some sort of strike.
You’ll remember that just 48 hours ago, the United States – in fact, 24 hours ago – the United States, announced that it was going to start moving nonessential personnel out of the embassy in Baghdad, and also recommended that others in embassies around the region could also leave if they wish.
That seemed to suggest that there was going to be an attack of some sort.
Donald Trump, in the last few hours, put out a post on his Truth Social platform saying that he had directed his entire government to move towards a diplomatic solution with Iran.
The bottom line was that he didn’t want Iran to get a nuclear weapon, but he was hoping that there would be talks.
The fact that the Israelis have gone ahead would suggest that while the US was not involved, and that’s what we’re hearing, they were informed about what was likely to happen.
Donald Trump, currently at the congressional picnic at the White House, would have been informed of what exactly the Israelis were going to do.
The big question now, of course, is how the United States will react to any response from Iran.
Attack focused on neighbourhood in Tehran known as residential area for military officials
Tohid Asadi
Reporting from Tehran, Iran
Here in the capital, at around 3am local time, we heard sounds of explosions.
Between six to nine explosions have been reported in the capital of the country, and I personally heard two of them at least.
But it has been said that these explosions have not happened in one certain place, but rather in different parts of the city.
The state TV IRIB has confirmed the happening of the explosions and has just shown footage of different places from which we can clearly see smoke coming out of the scene.
We know so far of different parts in the western neighbourhood of the capital, in Mahallati, located in the northeastern part of the city, which is known as a residential area and is known for having buildings that relate to residents of military officials.
Some of the footage also coming out indicates that the buildings look to be residential.
We had this report from the state TV saying that the Israelis have claimed to be conducting this attack and that the air defence system is 100 percent prepared for anything.
‘Game on,’ says key US senator
Hawkish Republican lawmaker Lindsey Graham – a Trump ally – voices support for Israel as it attacks Iran.
“Game on. Pray for Israel,” he wrote in a social media post.
Iran’s Press TV says Natanz nuclear facility targeted
The state-owned media outlet has shared footage of fire and smoke billowing from a site that it said is “reportedly” the Natanz nuclear facility in central Iran.
Civilians killed in Israel strikes on Tehran: Iran state media
Israeli strikes on residential buildings in the Iranian capital killed a number of civilians, including children, according to Iranian state media.
“A number of people, including women and children, were martyred in a residential complex in Tehran,” the official IRNA news agency reported.
If you’re just joining us
Here’s a quick look at the latest developments:
Israel announced that it struck Iranian nuclear targets to block Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, adding that Iranian commanders and missile factories were hit.
Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions across the Iranian capital with reports of deaths, including children.
Iran’s Press TV said that the country’s Natanz nuclear facility has been targeted by Israel.
Iran’s Tasnim news agency said authorities have suspended flights at the Imam Khomeini international airport, but the facility has not been directly affected by the Israeli attacks.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the strike against Iran in a recorded message, declaring the action a “decisive moment” in the country’s history. Israel is calling the operation against Israel “Rising Lion”.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel’s strikes against Iran are a “unilateral action” and said Washington was not involved, while also urging Tehran not to target US interests or personnel in the region.
US senator slams ‘reckless escalation’ by Israel
Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, criticised the Israeli attacks on Iran and called on Trump to push for de-escalation.
“Israel’s alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence,” Reed said in a statement.
“I urge both nations to show immediate restraint, and I call on President Trump and our international partners to press for diplomatic de-escalation before this crisis spirals further out of control.”
IRGC chief killed in Israeli attacks: Reports
Iran’s Tasnim news agency and Tehran Times newspaper say Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has been killed in an Israeli strike.
‘Attack on Iran a point of consensus in Israel’
Nour Odeh
Reporting from Amman, Jordan
No matter what the context is, Israel would frame its attack on Iran as a defensive action.
The attack on Iran is a point of consensus in Israeli politics. All Israeli politicians from across the political spectrum view Iran as an existential threat.
Thousands of reservists have been called up.
Right now, the situation in Israel is on heightened alert because they do expect an Iranian retaliation.
Senior Israeli officials have also been taken to safe locations, according to the Israeli military.
Two Iranian nuclear scientists killed in attacks: Tasnim agency
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reports that nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi were killed in the Israeli strikes.
Tehranchi was a nuclear scientist and the head of the Islamic Azad University, while Abbasi was the former chief of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.
Israel attacked at least 6 military bases around Tehran: Report
The Israeli military has attacked at least six military bases around Tehran, The New York Times reports, citing four unnamed senior Iranian officials.
The sources said the Parchin military complex was targeted, as well as residential homes at two highly secure complexes for military commanders and multiple residential buildings in what appear to be targeted assassinations.
We will bring you more information when we have it.
The Israeli Army Radio says that in addition to the air strikes … the Israeli Mossad, the external intelligence service, has carried out some sabotage activities and attacks inside Iran.
There are also several reports and leaks in the Israeli media talking not only about the assassination of the top chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), but rather a very large number of senior military commanders, in addition to prominent academics and nuclear scientists.
This is a very large-scale attack, not just on military installations, but also on the people who could potentially be making decisions about what Iran can do next, how Iran can respond to this attack that continues as we speak.
Original source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/6/13/live-explosions-reported-in-iran-amid-israel-tensions