The world awoke on 13 June 2025 to a seismic headline: Israel strikes Iran in a lightning‑fast air‑and‑drone campaign so daring that analysts are already calling it “the most consequential Middle‑East raid since Osiraq.” Below is everything you need to know—and why it matters to markets, security, and everyday readers like you.

The 60‑Second Snapshot

• Operation name: Rising Lion

• Assets deployed: ~200 IAF jets, long‑range drones, special‑forces spotters inside Iran

• Primary targets: Natanz & Fordow enrichment hubs, IRGC HQ, missile factories

• Key Iranian losses: IRGC chief Hossein Salami, Armed Forces head Mohammad Bagheri, UAV mastermind Gholamali Rashid; six senior nuclear scientists

• Iran’s immediate response: ~100 retaliatory drones toward Israel—intercepted

• Global fallout: Oil +8 %, equities down, aviation routes rerouted over the Gulf

Why Did Israel Strike Iran Now?

Immediate Nuclear Fears

For months, the IAEA hinted Tehran was stockpiling 60 %‑enriched uranium—a hair’s breadth from weapons‑grade. Israeli intelligence claims new evidence shows a “two‑week breakout window.” Prime Minister Netanyahu framed the raid as “the last safe moment to act.”

Political & Regional Triggers

• Stalled U.S.–Iran talks in Oman risked legitimizing Iran’s program.

• Drone attacks by IRGC proxies on Eilat and Haifa crossed Israel’s “red line.”

• Domestic pressure: after Gaza and Lebanon escalations, Tel Aviv’s cabinet needed a decisive move to re‑establish deterrence.

How the Strike Unfolded

• Phase 1: Cyber & Jamming – Israel’s Unit 8200 crippled Iranian radar grids.

• Phase 2: Drone Swarm – Loitering munitions pre‑planted by Mossad commandos took out SAM sites.

• Phase 3: Air Armada – F‑35I Adir and F‑15I Ra’am jets dropped 330 precision weapons on 100+ sites.

• Phase 4: Controlled Exit – A tanker chain over Saudi and Jordanian skies refueled returning jets; neither kingdom officially acknowledged overflight.

Who Was Hit—And Why It Matters

• Hossein Salami – Voice of Iran’s hard‑line posture; his death decapitates the IRGC command.

• Mohammad Bagheri – Architect of Iran’s multi‑front “ring of fire” against Israel.

• Top scientists – Loss of Abbasi & Tehranchi sets back uranium metallurgy R&D by “years,” say experts.

Regional & Global Repercusasions

Markets React

Oil futures spiked 8 %, safe‑haven gold touched a 12‑month high, and airline stocks slid as Gulf carriers rerouted traffic.

Diplomatic Shockwaves

• U.S. stance: Washington insists it provided “no active support,” but Tehran vows to hold America “responsible.”

• UN Security Council: Emergency session slated for 14 June; Russia and China signal condemnation, France urges restraint.

What Happens Next?

Iran retains ballistic options—Shahab‑3 missiles can still reach Tel Aviv. Yet Israel’s Iron Dome, Arrow‑3, and laser‑based Iron Beam give it a layered defence. The risk calculus: uncontained tit‑for‑tat could drag Gulf states and superpowers into open conflict.

Conclusion

Israel’s unprecedented assault has redrawn the strategic map overnight. Whether this pre‑emptive gamble curbs or catalyzes Iran’s nuclear ambition will define regional security for decades.

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Disclaimer: The situation remains fluid. Casualty figures, official statements, and market data may change as new information emerges. This article synthesizes verified reports available as of 13 June 2025 and does not constitute investment or military advice.