Israel Hits 100 Iranian Nuclear, Military Sites Killing Top Commanders

On June 13, 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a large-scale military campaign striking over 100 targets across Iran, including key nuclear facilities such as the Natanz enrichment site and military command centers in Tehran. The attacks, involving around 200 Israeli fighter jets, resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian military officials, including Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards, and Army Chief Mohammad Bagheri. In response, Iran retaliated by launching about 100 drones toward Israeli territory, escalating tensions significantly and raising fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the strikes as essential to neutralizing the Iranian threat to Israel’s survival, while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed severe retaliation against Israel. The Trump administration sought to distance itself from the operation, affirming Washington's awareness but disavowing any direct involvement. This conflict marks the most significant military engagement between the two countries in recent decades, severely impacting regional stability and global markets.