One step before the war: Israel attacked Iran

On Thursday, June 13, it became known that Israel had launched Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear program. This was announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It was reported that the actions of the Jewish state are a "preemptive strike," Iran has already announced that it will strike back. Read more about the incident in the Izvestia article.

"The Rising Lion": what is known about the operation

Early on Thursday morning, June 13, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched Operation Rising Lion against Iran, which is aimed at Tehran's nuclear program.

"Israel has just launched Operation Lion Rising, a targeted military operation aimed at eliminating the threat that Iran poses to Israel's very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as necessary," Netanyahu said, adding that the main purpose of the strikes is to disrupt Iran's nuclear program.

According to him, the strike was carried out "at the heart of Iran's nuclear enrichment program" and the country's main enrichment facility in Natanz was attacked. According to Israeli Army spokesman Efi Defrin, the first stage of the operation, which involved dozens of aircraft, has been completed. During it, "dozens of military targets were attacked, including nuclear targets in different regions of Iran."

It is already known that Iran may soon use missiles and drones to attack the State of Israel and its civilian population. Residents of Israel received an emergency warning from the army at 03:00 (coincides with Moscow time) demanding that they strictly follow the instructions of the rear command expected in the future. Later, an order was also sent out to move to protected areas and stay close to them. At the same time, according to IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, in the event of an Iranian retaliatory strike, Israel's expected losses will be very different from the usual ones.

The air spaces of Israel and Iran have already been closed.

Israel's attack on Iran: consequences and victims

According to local media reports, at least six explosions were heard in the Iranian capital, and strikes were also carried out in such Iranian cities as Natanz, Khorramabad and Hamadan. A nuclear facility was attacked in Natanz. In Tehran, in particular, the Mahallati district, where buildings housing military officials are located, was attacked. Israel also targeted residential buildings in two specially protected complexes for the military command of the Islamic Republic.

According to the commander of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC, elite units of the Armed Forces) Hossein Salami, the commander of the central headquarters of the Khatam al-Anbiya IRGC Gholam Ali Rashid, physicist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and the former head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) Fereydoun Abbasi could have died as a result of the Israeli attack. There are also casualties among the Iranian civilian population. At least five people were killed and 20 injured.

Reaction to Israel's operation against Iran

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has already noted that the Israeli operation is being conducted without the participation of the United States.

"We did not participate in the strikes against Iran, and our main goal is to protect American forces in the region," he said.

Rubio also addressed Tehran: "Iran should not take actions against American interests or personnel."

In addition, it is known that US President Donald Trump will hold a meeting with members of the National Security Council.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has already responded to the Israeli operation and said he condemns any escalation in the Middle East. He was particularly concerned about Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities. He also asks both sides to show maximum restraint.

On the official page of the IAEA on the social network X, also on behalf of Director General Rafael Grossi, they wrote: "The IAEA is closely monitoring the alarming situation in Iran. We confirm that the Natanz facility was one of the targets of the recent strikes. The Agency is in constant cooperation with the Iranian authorities on radiation control issues and continues to work closely with inspectors on site."