Overview

• Israel deployed about 200 aircraft in Operation ‘Rising Lion’, targeting over 400 nuclear, military and strategic sites in Natanz, Isfahan and Tehran’s presidential district.
• Tehran launched roughly 100 drones and more than 300 ballistic missiles in retaliation, with most intercepted by Israeli systems supported by US assets but at least five falling on Israeli territory, killing three civilians.
• Israeli strikes reportedly killed around 20 senior IRGC commanders and nine key nuclear scientists, dealing a severe blow to Iran’s military leadership and its nuclear program.
• Italy’s government affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense while calling on both sides to cease further attacks and backing the next US-Iran nuclear talks in Muscat to avert wider conflict.
• Regional stability concerns are rising over threats to crucial shipping lanes in the Middle East and the potential economic and humanitarian fallout if hostilities continue.