Overview
- On June 13, 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, striking over 100 nuclear, military and leadership targets across Iran.
- Iran’s retaliatory missiles and drones failed to reach their targets, according to official assessments.
- Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter has pledged to continue the campaign until the Fordow uranium enrichment plant is destroyed.
- Reza Pahlavi called for nationwide protests followed by defections from Iran’s security forces to dismantle Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s rule.
- Pahlavi has rejected hereditary leadership, insisting that Iranians must freely choose a secular democratic government.