Israel Launches All-Out Attack on Iran’s Nuclear Program

Pre-Dawn Assault, Massive Strikes, High-Level Assassinations, and Global Fallout

In the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel launched a wide-ranging military operation against Iran, striking more than 100 targets across the country in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a mission “to remove the spread” of the Iranian nuclear threat. The Israeli military confirmed that over 200 fighter jets were involved in the first wave of airstrikes, making it one of the most aggressive and ambitious operations ever carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces.

The attacks began around 3:30 a.m. local time and caused explosions across Tehran and other major cities. Air raid sirens were heard in Israel at the same time, signaling Iran’s immediate response, which included more than 100 drones aimed at Israeli territory. Most of these drones were intercepted, according to the IDF.

Israeli hospitals moved to emergency status. Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem discharged patients who were stable and canceled all non-essential treatments, preparing for a possible escalation.

Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the operation would last “as many days as it takes” to achieve its goals. A senior military official said Israel had already planned 14 days of operations, with more waves of strikes expected.

Israel’s Primary Objective: Crippling Iran’s Nuclear Infrastructure

The centerpiece of the Israeli assault was the Natanz nuclear enrichment facility, which has long been considered the heart of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “We have struck Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz,” Netanyahu told the Israeli public. Satellite images confirmed an explosion at the site, located about 140 miles south of Tehran.

Natanz has produced most of Iran’s enriched uranium, including near weapons-grade fuel. It is partially buried beneath reinforced concrete and desert sand, making it difficult to destroy completely from the air. However, Israeli officials said significant damage had been inflicted.

The Fordow facility, which is even deeper underground and located on an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps base, was not confirmed as a target. American officials have long said that Israel does not possess bunker-busting bombs strong enough to reach Fordow. Brett McGurk, a former U.S. Middle East coordinator, warned, “If you don’t get Fordow, you haven’t eliminated their ability to produce weapons-grade material.”

This strike followed years of Israeli and American sabotage operations targeting Iran’s nuclear scientists, buildings, and centrifuges. While past attacks slowed Iran’s progress, they never fully stopped the program. The most famous was the Stuxnet cyberattack developed during the Bush and Obama administrations, which disrupted centrifuges but only set the program back for a year or two.

Iran’s Nuclear Program Was Accelerating

Netanyahu justified the operation by pointing to recent intelligence and international inspections that showed Iran was speeding up its uranium enrichment. According to the Prime Minister, Iran had accumulated enough enriched uranium to build nine nuclear bombs and could “weaponize” that material within one year.

The International Atomic Energy Agency had just declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations, saying it had failed to explain the presence of undeclared nuclear material and had amassed uranium enriched to 60 percent purity. Experts warn that 90 percent enrichment is needed for a weapon and that Iran could reach that level within weeks.

Netanyahu emphasized the urgency in his address: “If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time.” He thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for confronting Iran and for providing Israel with some of the most advanced military equipment in the world.

High-Level Assassinations and Covert Sabotage

Israel’s strikes went beyond infrastructure and targeted Iran’s military leadership directly. The IDF confirmed the deaths of several top commanders, including:

• Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the second-highest commander in Iran after the Supreme Leader
• Gen. Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the IRGC
• Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC Air Force
• Gen. Gholamali Rashid, deputy commander of the armed forces

These figures were meeting in an underground bunker when they were killed, according to Israeli intelligence. In addition, Mossad agents reportedly smuggled explosive drones and missiles into Iran in advance to destroy ballistic missile launchers and air defenses, ensuring Israeli air supremacy.

The strike also killed at least six nuclear scientists. Among them was Fereydoon Abbasi, the former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization. Other victims were prominent nuclear engineers and professors at Shahid Beheshti University, including Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, and Abdolhamid Minouchehr. One nuclear scientist, identified only as Motallebzadeh, was reportedly killed along with his wife.

This was not Israel’s first attempt to eliminate nuclear scientists, but it was its most sweeping. Previous assassinations often involved sticky bombs placed on car doors or remote-controlled shooting devices.

Trump Urges a Deal as Iran Promises Revenge

President Donald Trump reacted with a mix of triumph and warning. On Truth Social, he said, “I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal… They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse!” He emphasized that Israel had access to U.S. weapons and “knows how to use it,” adding, “Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left.”

Trump claimed he had given Iran 60 days to come to an agreement and warned that the next round of attacks would be “even more brutal.” He said Iran still had time to stop the destruction and urged its leaders to “JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”

U.S. officials have maintained that America was not directly involved in the attack and did not assist with the strikes. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the priority was to protect American troops in the region.

Iran and Allies Respond with Threats, Missiles, and Protests

Iran called the attack a “declaration of war.” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned Israel that it “should anticipate severe punishment.” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran’s military would respond “with full strength and in the manner they deem appropriate.”

Public outrage in Iran grew quickly. Crowds took to the streets in Tehran chanting “Death to Israel” and “Death to America,” waving flags and holding up portraits of the Supreme Leader. “They’ve killed so many university professors and researchers, and now they want to negotiate?” one man told AFP. Another said, “Iran must destroy [Netanyahu]. It must do something.”

The IRGC launched drones toward Israel, and explosions were reported at an underground missile facility in Kermanshah. Iranian ships also stopped entering ports, fearing they might be struck next.

Iran quickly appointed new military commanders to replace the dead. Gen. Mohammad Pakpour took over the IRGC, while Maj. Gen. Sayyed Abdolrahim Mousavi was named chief of staff.

Global Reactions: Condemnations and Calls for Restraint

World leaders responded swiftly. Germany and France backed Israel’s right to defend itself. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wrote, “Iran’s nuclear program presents a serious threat to the entire region.” French President Emmanuel Macron added that Israel had the right to act against that threat.

The European Union called for restraint, warning that “no one stands to gain from more war in the region.” UN Secretary-General António Guterres also urged both sides to avoid “a descent into deeper conflict.”

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the strikes a “clear provocation” and accused Netanyahu of setting the region “on fire.” Saudi Arabia, China, and Japan also expressed alarm, while Oman blamed Israel for escalating tensions.

The United Kingdom warned travelers that the situation could “escalate quickly” and updated its guidance for Israel.

Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups supported by Iran issued statements of solidarity. Hezbollah’s leader called the attack “criminal aggression” and said it would “not pass without response and punishment.”

The Stakes Have Never Been Higher

While Israel has achieved a tactical victory by killing top Iranian generals and damaging the Natanz facility, experts warn that Iran’s core nuclear capability may still be intact if Fordow remains untouched. Meanwhile, the possibility of full-scale war between the two countries has grown significantly.

NP Editor: This is a stroke of genius on Trump’s part. He knew that Israel would attack if he allowed it. He gave the warning, the whole world saw it, offered a deal, and now Israel has attacked right on schedule. You can bet your bottom dollar that the U.S. is providing support behind the scenes.

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