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Iran Holds Mass Funeral for Military Commanders, Nuclear Scientists Killed in Israeli Strikes

June 28, 2025, 5:54 pm

Iran held a grand state funeral on Saturday for more than 60 top military officials and nuclear experts who were slain during Israel’s recent Operation Rising Lion. The dignified procession started at 8:00 a.m. local time in the capital, Tehran, as the country closed offices and shops to pay their respects to the deceased.

Crowds of people, dressed in black, had gathered in Islamic Revolution Square, waving national flags and carrying the photographs of the victims. State television showed images of coffins covered with Iranian flags, placed close to Enghelab Square in central Tehran. Each coffin had the image of a dead commander in uniform.

President Masoud Pezeshkian, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and other high-ranking government and military officials were at the ceremony. Yet, there was no initial appearance of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose attendance has been the norm in previous state funerals. In earlier ceremonies, Khamenei led prayers over the coffins before public observances.

Senior Officials of Iran Among the Deceased

Among them was buried Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Iran Armed Forces Chief of Staff, who passed away during the first Israeli airstrikes. Officials will lay Bagheri to rest alongside his wife and daughter, who also died in the attack.

Another high-ranking casualty was Gen. Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Israeli missiles killed him when they struck the IRGC headquarters on the first day of the conflict. Thousands of mourners widely attended his funeral during the day’s ceremonies.

The funeral also paid tribute to nuclear physicist Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, who was among those killed in the airstrikes along with his wife. Tehranchi had once held key positions in Iran’s nuclear research community.

Quds Force commander Gen. Esmail Qaani and former chief of national security Ali Shamkhani were also present at the funeral ceremonies, further emphasizing the extent of the loss incurred by Iran’s military establishment.

Casualties of Operation Rising Lion

The collective funeral comes after a frenetic two weeks of heavy Israeli airstrikes, where Israel said it had killed 30 high-ranking Iranian military officials and 11 nuclear experts. Israeli statements said the operation destroyed eight nuclear sites and more than 720 military targets.

Officials announced a ceasefire on Tuesday after the 12-day military assault. Independent observers, including the Washington-based Human Rights Activists group, documented more than 1,000 fatalities in the fighting, at least 417 of them civilians.

Iran has promised revenge and is still weighing its strategic and military options in the wake of the unprecedented losses. For the moment, the nation bids farewell to some of its leading guardians and nuclear brains, laid to rest with a full state ceremony.

Was Iran’s Monarchy the Inspiration Behind Israel’s ‘Rising Lion’?

June 18, 2025, 7:05 pm

Israel’s new push against Iran, Operation Rising Lion, is making headlines for more than its military aims. The title seems to hold significant historical and psychological connotations. Israeli officials and media say the operation title brings back the imperial “Lion and Sun” symbol that was once at the heart of Iranian national identity.

The symbol, referred to in Persian as Shir o Khorshid, was abolished following Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution. Israel apparently is applying it today in order to send a message that transcends battlefield tactics.

Name with Roots in Iran’s Monarchy

The Lion and Sun symbol was a defining emblem of Iran during the Qajar and Pahlavi dynasties. It symbolised monarchy, Shi’a Islam, and national pride. The lion stood for strength and courage. The sun represented divine glory and power. For decades, it appeared on Iran’s national flag until revolutionary forces replaced it with the Islamic Republic’s religious insignia.

By alluding to discarded monarchy symbolism, Israel evokes an era prior to the Islamic regime. The action can be regarded as provocative and persuasive—a psychological attempt to disturb Iran’s rulers while appealing to parts of the Iranian people that have nostalgic sentiment toward the monarchy.

Official Israeli Messaging Adds to Symbolism

On Tuesday, the official Persian-language X account of Israel heightened the symbolism. It tweeted imagery evoking the Lion and Sun and the Persian text: “The rise of the lions for the victory of light over darkness.” It was no arbitrary phrase.

It explicitly echoed royalist motifs and cast Israel as the power of light against what it perceives as the darkness of today’s regime in Tehran.

Strategy Beyond the Battlefield

Though Israel has not officially elaborated on the operation’s title, experts observe a definite psychological aspect. Operation Rising Lion does not merely target Iran’s military might. It also hits at its ideological roots, reminding the regime of its lost royal legacy and illuminating internal divisions.

Essentially, Israel is employing history as a weapon—one that can trigger just as much empathy as bombs.

‘They Want to Kill Him’: Netanyahu Alleges Iran Plotted to Assassinate Trump | Watch

June 16, 2025, 10:18 am

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Iran’s Islamic regime of targeting US President Donald Trump for assassination, describing him as the top threat to Tehran’s nuclear agenda.

In a high-stakes interview with Fox News, Netanyahu also warned of an “imminent” nuclear and ballistic missile threat from Iran, justifying Israel’s aggressive response in a military campaign dubbed Operation Rising Lion.

“They Want to Kill Him”: Netanyahu Alleges Iranian Plot Against Trump

In a bold statement during the interview, Netanyahu claimed that Iran had identified Trump as its primary enemy due to his hardline stance against its nuclear program.

“They want to kill him. He’s enemy number one,” he said, as quoted by Fox News.

Israeli Prime Minister @netanyahu on intel of Iranian attempts to assassinate President @realDonaldTrump— “he’s enemy number one..” and on when he let President Trump know of the plans for launching the strikes #FoxNews #SpecialReport #Israel pic.twitter.com/l2xX10ZwfH

— Bret Baier (@BretBaier) June 15, 2025

Netanyahu praised Trump for dismantling what he termed a weak nuclear deal and taking strong action against Iran, including the elimination of Qasem Soleimani.

“He’s a decisive leader. He never took the path that others took to try to bargain with them weakly, giving them a pathway to enrich uranium, which means a pathway to the bomb, padding it with billions and billions of dollars,” Netanyahu said.

Fox News quoted Netanyahu as saying, “He took up this fake agreement and tore it up. He killed Qasem Soleimani. He made it very clear, including now, ‘You cannot have a nuclear weapon, which means you cannot enrich uranium.’ He’s been very forceful, so for them, he’s enemy number one.”

Netanyahu revealed that he, too, was a target of the Iranian regime, referencing a missile attack that struck the bedroom window of his residence. He referred to himself as Trump’s “junior partner” in confronting Iran’s nuclear and missile ambitions.

Israel’s Military Response: Operation Rising Lion

Calling Iran’s threats “existential,” Netanyahu said Israel had no option but to act in what he termed “the 12th hour.”

“We were facing an imminent threat, a dual existential threat,” he said.

“One, the threat of Iran rushing to weaponise their enriched uranium to make atomic bombs with a specific and declared intent to destroy us. Second, a rush to increase their ballistic missile arsenal to a capacity of 3,600 weapons a year… Within three years, 10,000 ballistic missiles, each weighing a ton, coming in at Mach 6, right into our cities, as you saw today… and then in 26 years, 20,000 [missiles]. No country can sustain that, and certainly not a country the size of Israel, so we had to act.”

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s recent strikes were not just for its protection but for global security.

Iran’s Retaliation and the Ongoing Threat

Following Israel’s offensive, Iran launched a large-scale ballistic missile attack on Israeli cities. However, many of the incoming projectiles were intercepted.

Netanyahu claimed Israel’s actions had significantly set back Iran’s nuclear program and dismissed any hope for diplomatic progress.

“Negotiations with the terrorism-sponsoring regime were going nowhere,” he said.

Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s resolve to eliminate the Iranian nuclear and missile threat, describing Operation Rising Lion as a major military achievement.

“One of the greatest military operations in history,” he said.

Addressing the people of Iran directly, Netanyahu added, “They had been oppressed for 50 years by the same Islamic regime that has long threatened to destroy the State of Israel,” Fox News reported.

‘Holocaust Will Not Repeat’: PM Netanyahu Defends Operation Rising Lion Against Iran | WATCH

June 13, 2025, 7:01 pm

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday justified Israel’s sweeping attacks on Iran, stating that the country had no option but to act. Just hours after Israel conducted “Operation Rising Lion” and took out critical Iranian military and nuclear commanders, Netanyahu delivered a video address.

He referred to the attacks as a direct response to what he said was a clear and present danger of nuclear destruction. He cautioned that unless Israel moved now, Iran would be able to trigger a nuclear holocaust.

Operation Rising Lion Targets Iran’s Central Capabilities

PM Netanyahu started his seven-minute speech by announcing the initiation of Operation Rising Lion. He declared Israel’s objective was to destroy the Iranian regime’s nuclear enrichment and missile programs. In his words, Iran has amassed enriched uranium sufficient for nine nuclear bombs and had recently embarked on attempts to weaponise it.

He warned the world that Iran might be able to make a nuclear weapon “in less than a year.” He emphasized that Israel would not wait for that threat to materialize.

Referring to the ‘Holocaust’ to Justify Action

PM Netanyahu compared Iran’s aspirations for nuclear weapons to Nazi Germany’s Holocaust. He stated, “Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a Holocaust. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim.” He indicated that Israel would never let enemies develop weapons that could destroy it.

PM Netanyahu announced that Israel had attacked Iran’s primary enrichment plant, nuclear scientists, and missile manufacturing facilities. He cautioned that Iran is going to produce 10,000 ballistic missiles in the next three years. “Imagine 10,000 tons of TNT dropping on a nation the size of New Jersey,” he explained.

Message to Iran and the World

PM Netanyahu clarified that Israel’s struggle was not against the Iranian people but against its government. He promised that the attack also safeguarded Arab neighbors and Western countries. Also, he explained Iran’s weapons would extend not just to Israel but to Europe and the United States as well.

He thanked US President Donald Trump for his position on Iran’s nuclear program. He said Trump had specifically said Iran should never have nuclear capability.

“Never Again Is Now”

PM Netanyahu concluded with a historical reminder. He said leaders before failed to move in time against Hitler. Israel, he asserted, has learned from this. “When someone comes to kill you, rise and act first,” he said.

He termed the strikes a required action in order to protect not only Israel, but “the forces of civilisation everywhere.”

‘As a Lion Lifts Himself Up…’ Netanyahu Leaves Note at Western Wall Before Launching Op Rising Lion

June 13, 2025, 4:58 pm

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu left a note at the Western Wall shortly before Israel initiated Operation Rising Lion. The note referenced a strong Bible verse: “A people that rises up as a lioness, and as a lion lifts himself up.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu placed a note in the Western Wall yesterday with the verse: ‘A people that rises up as a lioness, and as a lion lifts himself up’.

Photos: Ziv Koren pic.twitter.com/iRUIKEVKBg

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

The gesture preceded by hours Israel’s broad airstrikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and top military command. The symbolism set the beginning of what Netanyahu referred to as a “historic campaign” aimed at destroying existential threats.

Biblical Message Prior to Military Operation

On Thursday, June 12, PM Netanyahu went to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. A photo of the incident was released by his office, where he was inserting the handwritten message into the crevices of the holy site. The verse appealed to strength, courage, and divine determination—betraying determination prior to Israel’s most ambitious military operation in years.

The Western Wall has deep religious significance for Jews. Being the only remaining structure of the Second Temple, it is a site for prayer, contemplation, and spiritual connection. People tend to leave written prayers between the stones in the Wall, hoping that God will answer their prayers.

Launch of Operation Rising Lion

Friday, June 13 marked the start of Israeli military Operation Rising Lion. More than 200 Israeli jets flew in the first wave. IDF spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said they released over 330 bombs on approximately 100 Iranian targets, including nuclear installations and missile research facilities.

Israel also confirmed the execution of a number of top Iranian officials. They included Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s military chief; Hossein Salami, Revolutionary Guards commander; and Gholam Ali Rashid, commander of Khatam-al Anbiya Central HQ.

Iran Vows Revenge

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quick to react. He vowed “harsh punishment” for Israel and confirmed that some of the important commanders and scientists had been assassinated. Nevertheless, he emphasized that their replacements would automatically resume their positions, indicating that Iran would not retreat.

PM Netanyahu’s Western Wall moment is now more than religious ceremony. It was an expression of determination and a public warning of what was to follow. As Operation Rising Lion develops, the biblical teaching still resonates—Israel sees itself arising with the strength of a lion.

Op Rising Lion: IDF Pounds Iran with 300 Airstrikes, Hits 100 Strategic Targets

June 13, 2025, 3:41 pm

In a bold escalation of regional tensions, Israel launched a large-scale military offensive named Operation Rising Lion early Friday, targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and military facilities. The strikes, which hit key sites including the primary uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, were aimed at neutralizing what Israel called an “existential threat.”

The Israeli Air Force struck targets deep inside Iranian territory, including multiple sites in Tehran, triggering massive explosions. Footage shared online showed flames consuming buildings, thick black smoke rising over the capital, and widespread damage across various neighborhoods. Several buildings were completely flattened.

Top Iranian Military and Nuclear Officials Killed in Op Rising Lion

According to Iranian state media, the Israeli strikes killed Hossein Salami, head of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, along with two senior nuclear scientists. This marks a significant blow to Iran’s military and nuclear leadership, and could deepen the already intense hostilities in the region.

Netanyahu Declares Determination to Eliminate Threat

In an official address, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the operation and outlined the rationale behind the strikes.

“Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat,” Netanyahu stated.

He accused Iran’s regime of actively seeking Israel’s destruction, citing its nuclear capabilities as a growing threat.

“For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly called for Israel’s destruction,” Netanyahu said.

He added that Iran has stockpiled enough highly enriched uranium for nine nuclear weapons and is now closer than ever to weaponizing that material.

“If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year, it could be within a few months, or less than a year. This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival,” the Israeli leader warned.

Global Concern Over Escalation

The dramatic escalation has raised fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. World leaders are closely monitoring the situation as tension between the two regional powers threatens to spiral further.

Israel Hits Iran Nuclear and Missile Facilities in Massive Strike

June 13, 2025, 3:14 pm

Israel struck Iran’s nuclear and missile centers in a mass military action on Friday. The attack, the beginning of “Operation Rising Lion,” was against Iran’s nuclear facilities, missile production plants, and military command. Iran threatened a severe reaction.

Israel intercepted almost 100 retaliatory drones, in return. The attack has turned the balance of regional stability around and sent global oil prices soaring, while flights across West Asia ceased amidst concerns of escalation.

Mossad and the Military Coordinate Deep Strikes

Mossad commandos had operated deep within Iran prior to the strike, Israeli sources confirmed. The intelligence agency coordinated closely with the military to take down Iran’s radar stations and surface-to-air missile launchers. Israel also disclosed that it had established a secret base for attack drones near Tehran.

Israel’s air force sent around 200 fighter planes, hitting more than 100 targets. The military acknowledged the demise of top Iranian military officials, including Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami, Iran’s chief of staff for the armed forces, and head of Iran’s command of emergency affairs. State media also confirmed the killing of six nuclear scientists and children in residential attacks.

Netanyahu Announces Existential War

PM Benjamin Netanyahu spoke to the country with a blunt threat. He declared the operation was intended to “roll back the Iranian threat” and would keep going until Israel’s survival was assured. He urged citizens to stock up and prepare for long periods of sheltering.

Top military officer Eyal Zamir labelled the attacks a “historic campaign” and confirmed that tens of thousands of Israeli military personnel had been mobilised.

Iran Vows to Retaliate

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei denounced the strikes as “wicked crime” and vowed an “oppressive fate” for Israel. Iran responded with drones, but most were said to have been intercepted by Israeli defenses.

Tehran’s military spokesperson threatened that Israel and the U.S. would be punished. Iran claims it will persist with nuclear enrichment, denouncing the Israeli attack as validation of its missile capability.

World-Wide Fallout: Oil, Flights, and Markets

Brent crude climbed more than 6% following the attack but settled back from its highs. Airlines canceled flights over Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel. Emirates, El Al, Israir, and Arkia all suspended services. Israel closed Ben Gurion Airport and moved aircraft. US stock futures fell. Israel’s shekel fell close to 2% in Asian trade.

Washington Distances Itself

President Trump denied US involvement in the attack and reaffirmed his opposition to Iran acquiring a nuclear bomb. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated that Israel was acting independently. Israeli media, however, suggested some degree of coordination with Washington. Trump has convened a National Security Council meeting.

US and Iranian officials still plan to meet on Sunday in Oman for another round of nuclear talks despite the fresh crisis.

IAEA and Nuclear Tensions

Iran has denied any intent to develop nuclear weapons. Yet, the IAEA’s board recently declared Tehran in breach of non-proliferation rules for the first time in nearly two decades. Iran responded by defending its enrichment program as a matter of sovereignty.

The International Atomic Energy Agency saw no increase in radiation at the Natanz facility after the airstrikes.

Escalation or Containment?

As Israel prepares for possible follow-up attacks, and Iran weighs its next move, the region holds its breath. With high-profile killings and key facilities reduced to rubble, the Middle East now has the specter of a long and bloody conflict.

Israel Strikes Iran After Years of Warnings and Collapsed Nuclear Talks: Legacy or Escalation?

June 13, 2025, 1:30 pm

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has finally done what he threatened to do for over two decades. Israel launched airstrikes deep within Iran on Friday, hitting nuclear facilities and killing senior military commanders.

The daring operation, known as Operation Rising Lion, is the most severe military confrontation between the two countries ever. After years of global indecision, Netanyahu decided to attack without the blessing of allies. He positioned the move as a historic stand to keep Iran from getting nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu Turns Warnings Into Action

For years, Iran taunted Netanyahu for consistently warning the world concerning its nuclear plans. In 2018, former Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif stated, “You can only fool some of the people so many times.”

PM Netanyahu, famous for employing props such as bomb cartoons at the UN, had been cautioning the world concerning Tehran’s plans for a long time. Now, those warnings have become real action.

Holocaust Reference to Justify the Strike

In his address to the nation, Netanyahu used the Holocaust. He criticized previous leaders for not moving in time against Hitler. He stated, “Never again is now today.” His intention, he asserted, was to stop another existential threat—this time from Iran.

Military experts previously thought Netanyahu had little space to maneuver. Iran’s surrogates such as Hezbollah and Hamas were too dangerous. But in 2023 and 2024 Israel defeated both in short, high-intensity campaigns. That emboldened Netanyahu to believe that Iran, now vulnerable, could be attacked openly.

Trump’s Abrupt Diplomacy Was the Last Straw

PM Netanyahu’s action came just as Donald Trump caught him off guard by announcing direct nuclear negotiations with Iran. Although the negotiations are to be resumed this weekend, the de facto deadline expired Thursday. Netanyahu moved quickly, perhaps feeling his last opportunity.

Netanyahu, who was once glorified as “King Bibi,” has a disintegrating domestic reputation. He’s standing trial for corruption. He’s even being probed by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Gaza. His opponents have accused him of extending the Gaza war to escape elections. But with this Iran strike, he is trying to cement his legacy.

Israel says it took out primary Russian-produced air defence systems in Iran and hit close to Natanz, a critical nuclear facility that is. It is reported that Israel contacted Washington quietly beforehand. Netanyahu’s and Trump’s public drama might have served as a decoy to deceive Tehran.

A Legacy in the Balance

At 75, PM Netanyahu is out of time. His popularity at home is fading, but he is confident that history will exonerate him. “Generations from now, history will record that our generation acted in time,” he declared.

Whether this aggressive push brings peace or further war remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Netanyahu has finally done what he always said he would—he took action.

Who Was Hossein Salami? Iran’s Top Commander Killed in Israeli Strike

June 13, 2025, 12:38 pm

Israel’s Operation Rising Lion has changed the Middle Eastern balance. Israeli warplanes attacked deep within Iranian territory early on Friday morning. They hit several nuclear and military targets. Along the way, they killed Major General Hossein Salami—one of Iran’s most powerful and feared individuals. General Salami was the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His passing is a significant blow to the leadership and regional stance of Iran.

The airstrike also took out other senior military leaders, including General Mohammad Bagheri. Israel deemed the attack pre-emptive, one that was meant to stop Iran’s nuclear advancements. Iran retaliated by sending over 100 drones towards Israel.

Who Was Hossein Salami?

Hossein Salami was born in 1960 in Golpayegan, Isfahan Province. He entered the IRGC in 1980, the year the Iran–Iraq war had started. He fought on the Kurdish and southern fronts. His early combat experience led to rapid promotions.

Following the war, Salami obtained a master’s degree in defence management. Subsequently, he remained in leadership roles in the IRGC for decades. From 1997 to 2005, he worked as chief of operations for IRGC Joint Staff. He went on to command the IRGC Air Force and later became the deputy commander in 2009.

In April 2019, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promoted him to Major General. He also appointed him as commander-in-chief of the IRGC. From then on, Salami reported directly to Khamenei. He became one of the most trusted and influential figures in Iran’s power structure.

Salami’s Role in Iran’s War Machine

General Salami contributed to the development of Iran’s missile program and regional proxy approach. He oversaw underground missile bases and drone projects. Salami was photographed inspecting an underground missile depot in January last year. Iranian media reported that the depot was making “new special missiles” targeting Israel.

He stridently clashed with Israel and the United States. His passionate orations demanded the annihilation of the “Zionist regime.” He was directly responsible for Iran’s sponsorship of proxy entities such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

Salami was also at the helm of Iran’s military when it conducted drone and missile strikes on Israel in April and October 2024. On both occasions, Iran said it was retaliating against Israeli aggression.

Why Was Hossein Salami Sanctioned?

Hossein Salami has been sanctioned for more than 15 years. The United Nations sanctioned him in December 2006 for having worked on ballistic missiles. The US then sanctioned him in 2007, freezing his assets under an order on weapons proliferation.

The European Union sanctioned him in 2021 for Iran’s violent crackdown on protesters in 2019. He was among eight officials who were held accountable for human rights abuses.

French prosecutors charged Salami with death threats and inciting terrorism against Iranians protesting the death of Mahsa Amini in 2023.

What Did He Say Before He Died?

One day before the Israeli attack, Salami pledged to protect Iran. “We are completely prepared for any situations, conditions, and circumstances,” he said. He termed Israeli military operations as weak, likening them to their blockade of Palestinians.

“We are war-tested and experienced,” he went on.

In earlier this year, he threatened, “If a threat is carried out, we will respond in the most severe manner—decisive, crushing and devastating.”

Symbolism of His Death

General Hossein Salami was not just a commander. He was the public face of Iran’s military strategy, regional ambition, and nuclear defiance. His death is a harsh psychological and operational blow for Tehran.

He was the embodiment of the doctrine of resistance. His removal from the fighting could change Iran’s strategy—or increase its revenge. Iran’s response is already underway. More than 100 drones had been sent toward Israel hours after the attack.

His last words indicate that he anticipated this moment. But he promised to attack first. Israel did just that. Now, Iran must choose whether to seek revenge—or another war.

Israel’s Strike on Iran: US Distances Itself as Tensions Soar

June 13, 2025, 12:04 pm

The US response to Israel’s strike on Iran came quickly after Israel launched Operation Rising Lion against Iranian nuclear and military targets. US officials firmly denied any involvement and warned Iran not to retaliate against American forces.

Although Israel informed the US before the attack, Washington made clear it had no part in the operation. The US is now concentrating on safeguarding its soldiers and preventing more confrontation as concerns of regional escalation increase.

US response to Israel’s strike on Iran

The US has issued a firm and cautious response to Israel’s strike on Iran, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio quickly distancing the Trump administration from Israel’s aggressive military campaign. The Israeli airstrikes, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, targeted nuclear and military facilities deep inside Iran and raised concerns of full-scale conflict erupting across the Middle East.

Rubio stressed that Israel acted unilaterally and reiterated that America’s top priority is the safety of its personnel stationed in the region. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran,” Rubio stated, firmly warning Tehran against retaliating against any US interest.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media blamed Washington for complicity in the strikes and reported civilian casualties, including children. Israel declared a state of emergency and vowed to continue operations “for as many days as it takes,” while observers expressed worry about potential Iranian counterattacks, especially ones targeting US military bases or embassies.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said that the strikes served as a necessity for Israel’s existence because of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. Although Israel notified Washington before the operation, it clarified this was a decision of national self-defence.

US braces for fallout

Amid rising regional tensions, the US has responded to Israel’s strike on Iran by bolstering security measures. The State Department has partially evacuated its embassy staff in Iraq and has restricted the movements of personnel in Israel.

Although not directly involved, the US is preparing for any indirect blowback. Rubio confirmed that President Trump maintains constant contact with regional partners and has taken all necessary precautions to protect American lives.

President Trump, who has long pushed for a diplomatic solution with Iran, voiced frustration over stalled negotiations. Hours before the strikes, he warned that an Israeli military move could jeopardise ongoing talks. Yet he also acknowledged the rising risk, stating something “could well happen.”

The US shows its commitment to maintaining diplomacy through Trump’s envoy, who still plans to meet with Iranian officials despite the possibility that military tensions could hinder diplomatic efforts.

What Is Operation Rising Lion? Netanyahu Announces Offensive After Striking Iran’s Missile Program

June 13, 2025, 9:38 am

In a significant escalation, Israel launched a targeted military operation in Iran on Friday, hitting critical nuclear facilities and ballistic missile infrastructure in what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called “Operation Rising Lion.”

The operation struck deep into Iran’s strategic assets, including its main uranium enrichment site at Natanz and key missile development facilities.

Netanyahu Vows Continuation of Strikes to Remove Iran Threat

Following the initial wave of airstrikes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation, declaring that Operation Rising Lion would continue for “as many days as needed” to eliminate the Iranian threat.

“We can’t leave these threats for the next generation,” Netanyahu said. “Because if we don’t act now, there will not be another generation. If we don’t act now, we simply won’t be here.”

Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli forces had targeted Iranian nuclear scientists “working on the Iranian bomb” and the primary enrichment facility at Natanz.

A Strategic Offensive Against an ‘Existential Threat’

The Israeli Prime Minister emphasized that the operation’s objective is to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, its ballistic missile manufacturing centers, and associated military capabilities. “As Iran planned to produce 20,000 such missiles within six years, Israel is operating to remove them as well,” Netanyahu added.

According to Israeli military officials, the initial phase of Operation Rising Lion involved coordinated attacks on dozens of strategic and military targets spread across Iran. These included nuclear research centers, missile plants, and secure storage facilities.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they had carried out months of planning, threat assessment, and logistical preparation for the operation, both on the frontlines and the home front.

International Reaction and Strategic Justification

Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, said the mission aimed to eliminate an “existential and immediate threat to the citizens of Israel and the entire world.” Danon reiterated that Operation Rising Lion was a necessary step in ensuring national and global security.

The operation marks a turning point in the long-standing tensions between Israel and Iran over nuclear capabilities and regional dominance.