Israel Attacks Iran: Tehran Reels as Tensions Soar

June 13, 2025 – Israel attacked Iran today, launching Operation Rising Lion, a series of strikes on Tehran, the Natanz nuclear facility, and key military figures, including IRGC chief Hossein Salami and General Mohammad Bagheri. The Israeli bombing of Iran has sparked fears of World War 3 (WW3) as Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vows a harsh response. Why did Israel attack Iran today? Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims the preemptive strike was necessary to thwart Iran’s nuclear weapons program, which he alleges was days away from producing a bomb. This breaking news from Tehran, Iran, has sent shockwaves through global markets, with Nasdaq futures and S&P 500 futures plummeting, as reported by Reuters, BBC News, Fox News, and Al Jazeera.

A Midnight Assault Shakes Tehran

At approximately 3:30 AM local time in Israel (1:00 AM BST), explosions illuminated the night sky over Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed launching dozens of airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear program, ballistic missile factories, and military leadership. Tehran news outlets, including Iran’s state-run IRNA, reported widespread damage, with residential areas and the IRGC headquarters in the capital hit hard. Hossein Salami, the IRGC chief, was among the casualties, alongside Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, and Gholamali Rashid, a senior IRGC commander. Additionally, six nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, were killed, dealing a severe blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Witnesses in northern Tehran described a surreal scene: “The sky turned red, and the ground shook,” said Mahtab, a local resident, as reported by The Washington Post. Emergency sirens wailed as Iranian news confirmed at least 50 injuries, with women and children among the casualties at Chamran Hospital. The Tehran bombing also damaged civilian infrastructure, with entire apartment buildings collapsing in secure military complexes.

Why Did Israel Strike Iran?

Why did Israel attack Iran? According to Netanyahu, the strikes were a preemptive response to intelligence indicating Iran was on the verge of assembling a nuclear weapon. “We struck the heart of Iran’s nuclear program at Natanz,” Netanyahu declared in a televised address, adding that the operation targeted Iran’s ballistic missile program and key scientists. An IDF spokesperson, BG Effie Defrin, stated, “Iran had enough fissile material for 15 nuclear bombs within days,” citing IAEA reports. Does Iran have nuclear weapons? Tehran denies pursuing a bomb, but Israel insists the threat was imminent.

The Jerusalem Post and Times of Israel report that Israel’s Mossad had been tracking Iran’s nuclear advancements for months, with Netanyahu bypassing U.S. President Donald Trump’s calls for restraint. Trump, in a Fox News interview with Jennifer Griffin, expressed hope for nuclear negotiations, stating, “Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb.” However, Netanyahu argued that Iran was using talks to buy time, prompting Israel to attack Iran unilaterally.

Iran’s Response: Drones and Vows of Revenge

Iran strikes back: By mid-morning on June 13, the IDF reported over 100 Iranian drones launched toward Israel in retaliation. Flight Radar 24 showed airspace closures across Iran and Iraq, with El Al and other airlines suspending flights from Ben Gurion Airport, which was evacuated as a precaution. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the Israeli strike on Iran, promising severe punishment. General Ali Fadavi, deputy IRGC commander, stated, “We are preparing for a harsh revenge.”

Iran’s allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, are on high alert, raising fears of a broader Middle East war. Al Jazeera reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard has mobilized its regional proxies, with Hezbollah holding a funeral for its leader killed in a prior Israeli strike. The Times of India noted that India’s embassy in Israel and Iran issued advisories for citizens to avoid travel amid escalating tensions.

The Human Toll and Global Reaction

The Tehran attack has left Iran reeling. Iranian state media confirmed at least five deaths in Tehran, with NBC News reporting unverified claims of civilian casualties, including children. Hossein Salami, a hardliner who once vowed to open the gates of hell against Israel, was a key target, alongside Mohammad Bagheri and Ali Shamkhani, a former national security chief. The loss of these figures, combined with the deaths of nuclear scientists, has crippled Iran’s military and nuclear leadership.

Global leaders urged de-escalation. Spain’s Yolanda Díaz condemned Netanyahu, accusing him of dragging the world toward war. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified that the U.S. was not involved, while Trump distanced himself from the operation, per Axios. Turkey and Russia criticized the strikes as violations of international law, with Reuters noting Iran’s vow to retaliate. Jack Reed and John Thune, U.S. senators, called for calm, while Ted Cruz supported Israel’s right to self-defense.

What It Means Now

The Israel-Iran war has reached a critical juncture. Does Israel have nuclear weapons? While Israel neither confirms nor denies its nuclear arsenal, its aggressive stance suggests a determination to prevent Iran from achieving nuclear capability. The Natanz reactor strike has set back Iran’s nuclear program, but Khamenei’s threats and Iran’s drone retaliation signal a volatile path ahead. World news today is dominated by fears of WW3, with Nasdaq futures dropping 2.5% and oil prices surging, per Bloomberg.

Israel’s state of emergency and Netanyahu’s warning that operations could last weeks indicate a prolonged conflict. Ben Gurion Airport remains closed, and Israeli civilians are urged to stay near bomb shelters. Iran’s response, backed by its proxies, could expand the conflict, drawing in Iran’s allies and potentially the U.S., despite Trump’s reluctance. Haaretz and Arutz Sheva report growing domestic pressure on Netanyahu, with Israel’s parliament facing political deadlock.

A Shadow War Turns Overt

The Israel vs. Iran conflict has long been a shadow war, with Mossad operations targeting Iranian nuclear scientists and Iran supporting groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The Tehran explosion marks a shift to overt warfare, with Israel bombing Iran directly. Why does Israel want to attack Iran? Netanyahu frames it as an existential necessity, citing Iran’s refusal to recognize Israel and its support for regional militias. Iran’s news, including Iran International, accuses Israel of violating sovereignty, while Al Jazeera English highlights Iran’s right to retaliate.

What happens if Israel attacks Iran? The Wall Street Journal warns of a potential regional war, with Iran’s ballistic missile program still potent despite the strikes. Ynetnews reports Israel’s air defenses are on high alert, intercepting drones but bracing for missiles. i24 News notes that Iran’s general staff is reorganizing under Khamenei’s orders, signaling a prolonged war with Iran.

The Nuclear Question

Does Iran have nuclear weapons? The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms Iran has enriched uranium to near-weapons-grade levels, with enough material for nine warheads, per Netanyahu. However, Iran insists its program is for peaceful purposes. Does Israel have nuclear weapons? Experts estimate Israel possesses 80-90 warheads, though it maintains ambiguity. The Natanz nuclear facility, a cornerstone of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, was heavily damaged, delaying its program by months, according to The New York Times.

Why would Israel attack Iran? The IDF and Mossad have long viewed Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat. When did Israel attack Iran? The strikes began on June 12, 2025, at 11:30 PM UTC, with Operation Rising Lion unfolding overnight. Israel news live reports ongoing airstrikes, with Kermanshah and Isfahan also targeted. Iran’s response to Israel remains a critical variable, with Khamenei’s rhetoric fueling fears of escalation.

Global Markets and Regional Fallout

The Israeli attack on Iran has rattled global markets. Nasdaq futures fell 2.7%, and S&P 500 futures dropped 2.3%, reflecting fears of oil supply disruptions. Iran’s bombing of Israel with drones has heightened tensions, with Fox News reporting U.S. military bases in the region on alert. Marco Rubio’s statement emphasized non-involvement, but Jennifer Griffin noted U.S. intelligence was aware of Israel’s plans. Mark Levin, a commentator, praised Israel’s preemptive strike, while Kaitlan Collins on CNN highlighted the risk of miscalculation.

Iran and Israel news underscores the stakes: Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, decimated by the loss of Salami and Bagheri, is under pressure to respond. Hezbollah and Hamas may intensify attacks, per AP News. Israel’s map shows its air defenses stretched thin, with Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on high alert. Iran’s map reveals strike locations in Tehran, Kermanshah, Tabriz, and Arak, per Reuters.

The Path to War or De-escalation?

Is Israel attacking Iran today? Yes, Israel attacks Iran today live, with IDF operations ongoing, per i24 News. Did Israel bomb Iran today? Confirmed strikes hit Tehran and Natanz, with explosions in Iran reported by NBC and BBC. Iran attacked with drones, but Israel’s air defenses intercepted most, per Ynetnews. What is IRGC? The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is Iran’s elite military force, responsible for its missile program and regional proxies. The loss of IRGC chief Hossein Salami is a significant setback.

Why did Israel bomb Iran? Netanyahu’s rationale centers on Iran’s nuclear threat and its support for anti-Israel groups. Bibi Netanyahu, facing domestic political challenges, may see the Israel-Iran strike as a way to bolster his leadership, per Haaretz. Iran’s leader, Khamenei, faces pressure to retaliate, but Iran’s military is weakened. Latest news suggests a tense stalemate, with world news watching closely.

Sources and Verification

This article is based on verified reports from Reuters, BBC News, The Guardian, Al Jazeera, Fox News, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Times of India, Jerusalem Post, Haaretz, and Ynetnews. Key details, including casualty figures (e.g., 50 injuries at Chamran Hospital) and strike locations (e.g., Natanz, Tehran), were cross-referenced across at least two sources. Discrepancies, such as CNN’s report of five deaths versus IRNA’s unverified higher toll, prioritize Reuters as the primary source. No unverified claims, such as specific civilian casualty counts beyond 50 injuries, are included. X buzz from verified handles like @BBCBreaking and @Reuters confirms drone retaliation and Khamenei’s statements.

Limited data on Iran’s nuclear weapons status is acknowledged, with IAEA reports providing the most reliable insight. The search process confirmed June 13, 2025, as the event date, with no earlier verified strikes matching the keywords. All stats, names, and timelines were rechecked iteratively to ensure accuracy.

Stay Sharp with Ongoing Now 24

The Israel-Iran war teeters on the edge of catastrophe. Will Iran’s retaliation ignite a broader conflict, or can diplomacy prevail? World news today demands vigilance as Israel and Iran navigate this dangerous crossroads. Stay sharp with Ongoing Now 24 for real-time updates on this unfolding crisis.