Overview

• On June 12, Israel launched Operation 'Rising Lion', combining airstrikes with covert Mossad operations to strike Iran’s key nuclear facilities, including Natanz and Fordow.
• The raids eliminated senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders—Generals Hossein Salami, Mohammad Bagheri and Amirali Hajizadeh—and prominent nuclear scientists.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the months-long plan had U.S. support and was designed to halt Iran’s accelerated uranium enrichment, which intelligence says could yield up to nine nuclear bombs.
• The Iranian government imposed temporary internet restrictions, accused Israel of criminal aggression and rallied public support under President Masoud Pezeshkian’s vow of a powerful, legitimate response.
• The United States, the IAEA and regional governments have raised alerts over potential escalation after Tehran’s pledge to retaliate, heightening fears of a wider Middle East conflict.