Why did Israel attack Iran today on 13 June 2025
Why did Israel attack Iran today? In the early hours of June 13, 2025, the Middle East woke up to a sudden and intense military escalation with this question that Why did Israel attack Iran today. Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a carefully coordinated campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear program and weakening its military defenses. The operation combined precision airstrikes, cyberattacks, and secret missions, targeting nuclear facilities, key military leaders, and advanced air defense systems.
Iran Israel conflict was one of the most dramatic moves yet in the long-running tensions between Israel and Iran, sending shockwaves not only through the region but also across the world; from government offices to energy markets and diplomatic circles.
Table of Contents
- The road to confrontation
- Israel’s Preemptive Strike Policy
- Phases & tactical execution
- Losses & destruction
- Response from Iran
- Global & regional impact
- Strategic and Military Analysis
- Summing Up
- Related Questions
The Road to Confrontation
By the middle of 2025, Israeli intelligence raised serious alarms; Iran was getting really close to a nuclear breakthrough. Reports revealed that Iran had gathered enough 60% enriched uranium to build as many as 15 nuclear warheads, with advanced IR-6 centrifuges spinning deep inside heavily protected underground bunkers. With diplomacy at a standstill and Iran’s program speeding ahead, Israeli leaders felt they were out of time; the chance for a peaceful resolution had slipped away.
Israel’s Preemptive Strike Policy
The answer to the question ‘why did Israel attack Iran today’ lies in its doctrine. Israel’s decision was driven by what’s known as the Begin Doctrine; a long-held policy that gives Israel the right to act alone against any nearby country trying to build nuclear weapons. Introduced back in the 1980s, this approach had already guided major strikes in the past, like the bombing of Iraq’s Osirak reactor in 1981 and Syria’s Al-Kibar facility in 2007. In June 2025, facing what it saw as a growing and immediate threat from Iran, Israel turned to that same doctrine once again.
Phases and Tactical Execution
Initial Phase: Crippling Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities
Just after 1:00 AM local time, Israeli F-35I Adir stealth jets slipped silently into Iranian airspace, escorted by electronic warfare planes and airborne command aircraft. Their mission was clear: strike the Natanz nuclear facility; the centerpiece of Iran’s nuclear efforts.
With cutting-edge jamming technology, Israeli forces disrupted Iranian air defenses, including the powerful S-300PMU2 and Khordad-15 batteries, making them effectively blind to the approaching jets. Then came the assault. Dozens of precision bombs; GBU-39s and SPICE 1000 glide munitions, were unleashed on Natanz. The explosions rocked the underground halls, where advanced centrifuges had been spinning for months.
As the bombs fell, cyberattacks hit Iran’s radar and communication systems, adding to the chaos and confusion. In just a matter of minutes, Iran’s most guarded nuclear site had been crippled, and its defenses thrown into disarray.
| System / Platform | Country | What It Is | What It Can Do | What It’s Up Against | Strengths & Weaknesses |
| F-35I Adir | Israel | Stealth Fighter Jet | Invisible to most radars, smart targeting, electronic warfare, works with other jets | Iranian S-300 and Khordad-15 air defenses | Hard to detect and very advanced; but may face trouble if Iran uses layered defenses |
| Eitam / G550 AEW&C | Israel | Early Warning Aircraft | Spots threats from far away, controls battle in the air, can jam enemy radars | Iranian mobile radars and launchers | Helps control the skies; but must stay away from enemy missiles |
| GBU-39 SDB | Israel | Small Smart Bomb | Flies far (~110 km), GPS-guided, small and hard to detect | S-300 and Khordad-15 air defense systems | Great for long-distance strikes; jets can carry many; low chance of being spotted |
| SPICE 1000 | Israel | Smart Glide Bomb | Larger bomb (~450 kg), uses cameras and GPS, finds its target on its own | S-300 and Khordad-15 air defense systems | Very accurate and can avoid jamming; but easier to spot than smaller bombs |
| S-300PMU2 | Iran | Long-Range Missile Defense | Can hit targets over 200 km away, tracks and attacks multiple threats, claims anti-stealth | F-35I jets, Israeli jamming, anti-radar attacks | Powerful system, but may struggle against stealth jets and electronic attacks |
| Khordad-15 | Iran | Mid-Range Air Defense System | Detects up to 120 km, hits up to 75 km, says it can spot stealth planes | F-35I jets, GBU-39s, SPICE bombs | Locally made, not as strong as S-300; may not work well under electronic attack |
Second Phase: Widening the Operational Scope
By around 4:00 AM, Israel launched its second wave of strikes, this time focusing on one of Iran’s most heavily protected nuclear sites: the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant near Qom. Hidden deep within a mountain, Fordow was believed to be virtually impenetrable. But Israeli jets were prepared. They dropped powerful bunker-busting bombs like the BLU-109/B and GBU-28, specifically designed to break through thick layers of reinforced concrete and rock.
The assault didn’t stop there. Israeli forces also hit the Arak heavy water reactor, the military complex at Parchin, and the Khondab reactor. At the same time, they widened the operation, striking missile and air defense positions across key regions; Kermanshah, Ilam, Hamadan, Khorramabad, Piranshahr, Tabriz, and Qasr-e Shirin; crippling parts of Iran’s strategic military network in one coordinated blow.
Stealth Missions and Cyber Warfare
While fighter jets pounded key targets from the air, Israeli intelligence operatives were already at work on the ground. Deep inside Iran, Mossad agents launched carefully planned sabotage missions, disabling key air defense systems and missile batteries. Some agents had infiltrated sensitive sites like Fordow and Natanz by posing as technicians, quietly disrupting critical systems from within. At the same time, sophisticated cyberattacks crippled Iran’s power grid and jammed secure military communications, throwing command centers into disarray and leaving much of the country’s defense apparatus blind and confused.
Losses and Destruction
Iran’s Military Chiefs and Nuclear Minds
The operation delivered a devastating blow to Iran’s top military and nuclear leadership. Among those confirmed martyred during the operation were some of the country’s most powerful figures:
• Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC
• Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces
• Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, deputy chief of staff
• Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of the IRGC Aerospace Force
• Ali Shamkhani, former head of the Supreme National Security Council
• Six prominent nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, and Abdolhamid Minoujhar
Why did Israel attack Iran today? Because the entire leadership of the IRGC Air Command was on the list and later became martyrs, signaling just how deep the strikes may have cut into Iran’s defense hierarchy.
Air Defense Infrastructure Disabled
Israeli airstrikes, working hand in hand with Mossad-led sabotage missions, took out some of the most critical pieces of Iran’s air defense system. Among the hardest hit were:
• S-300PMU2 and Khordad-15 missile batteries guarding the Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites
• Missile launchers and radar stations spread throughout central and western Iran
With these systems knocked out, Iran was left with gaping holes in its air defenses; making it far more vulnerable to follow-up strikes and limiting its ability to fight back effectively.
Nuclear Installations Compromised
The Natanz and Fordow nuclear sites took a major hit, with underground halls full of centrifuges and crucial support systems either destroyed or left inoperable. Israeli strikes also targeted the Arak heavy water reactor and the Parchin military complex; where weapons research labs were reportedly flattened. Again the question is why did Israel attack Iran today and the answer is that the experts believe the damage could delay Iran’s nuclear program by at least two to three years.
Collateral Effects and Civilian Harm
Some of the worst fallout from the strikes was felt in residential areas near military sites; especially in Tehran, where several civilians, including children, got martyred or were seriously injured. While Iranian state media sought to downplay the scale of the tragedy, independent sources offered a far more sobering account, confirming that ordinary families bore a painful share of the consequences.
Response from Iran
Quick Military Response
By mid-morning, Iran launched more than 100 drones, including Shahed-136s, Shahed-129s, and Mohajer-6 UAVs, toward Israel in a swift act of retaliation. Israel’s layered air defenses, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow-3 systems, managed to intercept the vast majority of them, preventing widespread damage. In a separate incident, a Quds-2 missile fired from Yemen by Houthi forces struck near Hebron in the West Bank. However, no injuries were reported.
Operation True Promise III
On the night of June 13, Iran stepped up its retaliation with a coordinated assault dubbed Operation True Promise III. In a sweeping wave of attacks, it launched more than 150 ballistic missiles and over 100 drones, targeting Israeli airbases and military positions. Although Israel’s advanced defense systems, Iron Dome, Arrow, and David’s Sling, intercepted most of the threats, a handful still made it through.
Explosions were reported in central Israel, including Tel Aviv, shaking neighborhoods and sending civilians scrambling for shelter. At least 63 people were injured in the strikes. One woman later died from her injuries. The attacks continued into the early morning hours of June 14, triggering more alarms and anxiety. Though the follow-up barrages caused fewer physical casualties, the psychological impact was felt across the country.
Political and Strategic Ramifications
In the wake of the strikes, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei pledged a strong response, promising “severe punishment” and calling an emergency meeting of the Supreme National Security Council. The new head of the IRGC, Major General Mohammad Pakpour, delivered a fiery statement, warning that “the gates of hell will open.” Iran also pulled out of planned nuclear negotiations and filed official complaints with the UN Security Council, signaling a sharp escalation in tensions.
Global and Regional Impact
Global Diplomatic Fallout
Although the U.S. wasn’t directly involved in the operation, it was informed ahead of time. In the hours that followed, Washington moved swiftly, placing 40,000 troops on high alert across the region and ordering the evacuation of non-essential staff from sensitive areas. President Donald Trump voiced strong support for Israel’s right to defend itself, while delivering a sharp warning to Iran against further provocation. Why did Israel attack Iran today while the global response was swift and divided: while some allies backed Israel’s actions, others expressed deep concern that the conflict could spiral into a much larger regional crisis.
War’s Economic Toll
Fears of a wider conflict sent oil prices soaring by 8 to 13%, with Brent crude climbing above $110 a barrel. The ripple effect hit global stock markets, where investors, spooked by the uncertainty, pulled back, causing a brief but sharp sell-off as they braced for more economic shockwaves.
Proxy Warfare and the Growing Risk of Regional Conflagration
Israel’s earlier strikes across Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq had already taken a toll on Iran’s network of allied militias, making it harder for groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis to launch major counterattacks. Still, tensions remain dangerously high, and the possibility of a broader war spreading across the region is far from off the table.
Strategic and Military Analysis
Successes and Limitations
Military analysts described Operation Rising Lion as a striking example of how today’s wars blend airstrikes, cyber warfare, and intelligence operations. The coordinated assault dealt a heavy blow to Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure; but it also pushed the region closer to dangerous uncertainty. With access to the affected sites tightly controlled and Iranian media limiting coverage, the true scale of the destruction remains largely hidden from the outside world.
Why did Israel attack Iran today & What’s The Future of the Conflict
Israel achieved its immediate aims. Iran is now expected to respond by reinforcing and dispersing its nuclear infrastructure, possibly turning to mobile units and more deeply buried sites. With diplomatic ties frozen and tensions still high, the region remains on edge, and the threat of further conflict hasn’t gone away.
Summing Up
Operation Rising Lion has dramatically shifted the dynamics in the Middle East. Why did Israel attack Iran today? Because Israel’s ability to carry out a precise and far-reaching strike inside Iran, damaging its nuclear infrastructure and martyring senior military figures; has sent a strong and unmistakable message to both rivals and allies. But while it demonstrated power and intent, it also pushed the region to the edge of a broader conflict.
Now, all eyes are on what comes next. Will this be remembered as a turning point that stopped a dangerous escalation? Or has it opened the door to a new, more volatile chapter in an already fragile region? The coming days will be critical in shaping the path forward.
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