Inside Israel’s Major Strikes on Iran’s Military Commanders and Nuclear Sites
Israel launched major airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and top commanders, triggering regional alarm and vows of harsh retaliation.
In the early hours of Friday, June 13, Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across Iran, targeting key military and nuclear sites. U.S. President Trump warned that further strikes are already planned and would be “even more brutal” if Iran fails to return to nuclear negotiations.
Several senior Iranian military commanders were killed in the initial strikes, including IRGC Chief Hossein Salami, Armed Forces Chairman Mohammad Bagheri, Khatam al-Anbiya Commander Gholam-Ali Rashid, and IRGC Aerospace Commander Amir-Ali Hajizadeh.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the operation struck at the very “heart” of Iran’s nuclear enrichment efforts, including facilities at Natanz, and targeted nuclear scientists. He vowed the operation, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” will continue as long as necessary.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed Iran would mete out “harsh punishment” to Israel, warning that it has sealed its own grim fate by launching the strikes.
Later Friday, Iranian state media reported a second wave of strikes targeting the Tabriz airbase, part of a broader operation that included about 10 sites in East Azerbaijan province.
Iranian officials confirmed that Natanz and military facilities around Tehran, including Parchin, were struck. While the enrichment sites were affected, they reported no casualties or radiation or chemical leaks.
Israeli forces reportedly attacked more than 100 targets using nearly 200 fighter jets. Among the hit sites were radar installations and air-defense systems belonging to Iran.
However, Iranian media also reported strikes on residential neighborhoods in Tehran—including Narmak, Mahallati, Chamran, and Chitgar—resulting in civilian casualties, including women and children, according to local outlets.
Israel’s strikes extended to cities such as Hamadan, Kermanshah, Qasr-e Shirin, Bandar Abbas, Qom, Khorramabad, Tabriz, Piranshahr, Ilam, Arak, and Shiraz, in addition to Tehran and nuclear sites.
Notably, this military campaign comes as Iran’s nuclear ambitions proceed rapidly, prompting an IAEA resolution criticizing Tehran’s inspection noncompliance and plans to expand centrifuge operations and enrichment capacity.
Reports from Friday afternoon indicated that at least 20 senior military commanders were killed, including high-ranking IRGC Air Force leaders who were reportedly gathered in an underground command center preparing for a retaliatory strike.
Iran officially confirmed the deaths of Hajizadeh, Salami, Rashid, and Bagheri. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appointed Major General Mohammad Pakpour as the new IRGC commander, Ali Shadmani as head of Khatam al-Anbiya, and Army Commander Abdolrahim Mousavi as Armed Forces Chairman.
The U.S. blamed Iran’s hardliners for escalating the crisis, with President Trump declaring harsher strikes are planned. As Iran prepares a proportionate response, the looming danger of a broader regional war has prompted global calls for de-escalation.
Security measures in Iran have intensified, including internet restrictions and warnings to civilians near military zones. The unfolding conflict has sparked renewed concern for stability, with diplomatic channels working to prevent a wider outbreak of violence.
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