Israel Strikes Iran’s Nuclear Sites and Military Bases

Israel performed a strike aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear and military facilities, as well as eliminating the command of the armed forces and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reported that the operation is called the Nation of Lions.

The targets also included scientists working on the nuclear program.

The operation started shortly after 3 a.m. on June 13. Israeli Air Force jets struck uranium enrichment facilities in Natanz and Fordo, as well as missile bases in Kermanshah and Khorramabad.

Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz, and other major Iranian cities also came under attack, targeting Iranian officials and scientists involved in the nuclear program, along with high-ranking military personnel.

🇮🇱🇮🇷 Israeli strikes targeted the Natanz uranium enrichment facility as well as residential areas where Iranian officials and scientists associated with the nuclear program live. pic.twitter.com/FYymYJAAJG

— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝕯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝕯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱△ 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇺🇲🇬🇷 (@TheDeadDistrict) June 13, 2025

In an official statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it targeted Iran “to damage Iran’s nuclear program and in response to the ongoing aggression of the Iranian regime against Israel.”

“Dozens of Israeli Air Force jets recently completed a preemptive strike that included hits on dozens of military targets, including sites related to nuclear weapons, across various regions of Iran,” the statement reads.

The IDF stated that Iran has enough enriched uranium to produce several bombs within a few days, and that it must act against this “imminent threat.”

According to Netanyahu, the operation’s goal is “to strike Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile production facilities, and Iran’s military capabilities.” He added that the operation “will continue for as many days as necessary.”

The Iranian state news agency reported that the Israeli strikes killed Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and physicist Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.

🇮🇱🇮🇷 Several hours ago Israel strikes Iran’s capital Tehran pic.twitter.com/OukQmqacsW

— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝕯𝔢𝔞𝔡 𝕯𝔦𝔰𝔱𝔯𝔦𝔠𝔱△ 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇺🇲🇬🇷 (@TheDeadDistrict) June 13, 2025

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that a state of emergency has been declared across the country following the strike on Iran. The country’s airspace has been closed.

“After Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran, a missile attack and drone assault against Israel and its civilian population are expected in the near future,” the minister said.