In one precise move, Israel struck Iran’s nuclear facilities, military sites and leadership, triggering a high-stakes conflict with regime-change implications.
At a Glance
- Israel launched Operation Rising Lion with over 200 aircraft striking around 100 targets across Iran on 13 June 2025.
- Six senior IRGC leaders and multiple nuclear scientists were killed, including Hossein Salami and Mohammad Bagheri.
- The attacks hit key enrichment facilities such as Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan, disrupting uranium-enrichment efforts.
- Analysts warn this goes beyond nuclear prevention—aiming at undermining Iran’s regime.
- Iran responded with missile strikes against Israel and vows of continued retaliation.
The Scale of the Strikes
Israel’s campaign began in the early hours of 13 June 2025 with coordinated air and covert Mossad operations. Five strike waves from over 200 jets dropped 330 munitions on approximately 100 targets, including nuclear infrastructure and residences linked to top IRGC and scientific figures.
The operation stunned with precision, hitting the Natanz underground enrichment facility, the Fordow site, and the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Center. The death toll included IRGC commanders such as Hossein Salami and Mohammad Bagheri, and nuclear scientists like Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.
Watch a report: What’s Israel’s Endgame? – Politico analysis of the strikes
Beyond Nuclear: A Push Toward Regime Change?
While disabling uranium enrichment was central, experts argue Israel’s intent extends further. According to analysts interviewed by Reuters, the chosen targets suggest a broader ambition.
Foreign policy commentator Steven Cook stated that the strikes indicate Israel is “trying to create a strategic rupture” inside Iran, not just stall its nuclear development.
Time Magazine further confirms the presence of multiple assassinated figures tied to long-term national defense planning, not solely nuclear capability.
Regional Fallout and Global Stakes
Iran retaliated with “Operation Severe Punishment”, launching missile strikes against Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities.
The threat of escalation is growing: Iran’s extensive missile stockpile and regional proxy network could pull Lebanon, Syria, and even Iraq into a wider confrontation.
Though Washington has provided intelligence and air defense assets, officials warn Israel lacks the strategic reach to dismantle Iran’s full nuclear program without American B-2 or B-21 stealth bombers. As both nations brace for escalation, the world watches a potentially seismic regional shift unfold.
