Beginning on 13 June 2025, Israel attacked targets at more than a dozen locations across Iran.[a] Under the codename Operation Rising Lion,[4][5][b] the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Mossad[c] damaged key nuclear sites and military installations, and killed hundreds of Iranians,[7] including several of Iran's top military leaders, top leaders of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps and top nuclear scientists.[8][9][10] There were also attacks in residential areas, causing civilian casualties according to both the Iranian government,[11] and activists.[12] The attack was the largest on Iran since the Iran–Iraq War of the 1980s.[13]
Israel said its goal was preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons,[23] and the Israeli strikes were praised by U.S. President Donald Trump, who described them as "excellent" and "very successful," and urged Iran to agree to a deal promptly.[24][25] The attack also received praise by Iranian opposition groups in and outside of social media.[26]Russia, China, and numerous countries across the Middle East and Africa condemned the Israeli strikes. The European Union, along with key European nations, condemned Iran as a destabilizing force,[27] reiterated that Iran must never acquire nuclear weapons, described it as an "existential threat," and called on both Israel and Iran to de-escalate tensions.[28][29]
Israel regards Iran's nuclear program to be a strategic threat, although Israel possesses nuclear weapons itself.[40] Israel has argued it has the right to take military action against Iran's nuclear program if it believes it has become non-peaceful.[30][34] In the mid-2000s, the United States and Israel sabotaged Iranian nuclear facilities as part of Operation Olympic Games.[41] Since 2010, multiple Iranian nuclear scientists have been killed in foreign-linked assassinations widely attributed to Israel, which denies responsibility.[42][43]
In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which was negotiated by President Barack Obama, with the United Nations Security Council and Germany to manage Iran's civilian nuclear development at a limited level.[44] In 2018, American President Donald Trump during his first presidency suspended his country's participation in the deal and resumed economic sanctions on Iran, despite the report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran was keeping to the deal.[44] Iran retaliated against Trump's abandonment of the deal by incrementally increasing its uranium enrichment.[45] In 2020, the US assassinated Iranian leader Qasem Soleimani; in response Iran said it would no longer abide by JCPOA's enrichment restrictions,[46] and by 2021, was enriching uranium to 60% purity, similar to weapons-grade uranium.[44] In May 2025, the IAEA reported that Iran had amassed 409 kg of 60% pure uranium.[44] A day before the Israeli strikes occurred, the IAEA found Iran non-compliant with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years; Iran immediately responded by announcing a new nuclear enrichment facility (its third) and installing advanced centrifuges.[47]
Iran insists it does not seek nuclear weapons and Iranian leader Khamenei delivered a fatwa saying nuclear weapons are unethical.[48] Western sources write that Iran pursued a nuclear weapons program—the AMAD Project, in the 1990s (even though Iran denies this). Iran suspended that program by 2003, according to American intelligence.[49] According to the IAEA, Iran has not pursued any nuclear weapons development since 2009.[45]
In March 2025, US director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said that US agencies believed that "Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and [Iran's] Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has not authorised the nuclear weapons program that he suspended in 2003".[52]
In April 2025, US President Donald Trump announced negotiations between the United States and Iran regarding Iran's nuclear program. The White House declared that Iran has two months to secure a deal; the two-month deadline expired the day before Israel's strikes.[53]
Immediate prelude
On 12 June 2025, ABC News reported that Israel was considering taking military action against Iran;[54] hours later, US officials had been told that Israel was "fully ready" for initiating an operation against Iran, according to CBS News. The Trump administration purportedly considered options to support Israel without leading the operation.[55] The US Embassy in Jerusalem restricted the movement of its staffers the following day, though Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, said it was not likely that Israel would strike Iran without approval from the Trump administration.[56] Prior to the airstrikes, Israel told the Trump administration it would not strike without first notifying the United States.[9] US President Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the eve of the attacks, and later admitted having known in advance of Israel's planned actions.[57] Officials in the United Kingdom's Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence were also aware of the Israeli intention to strike Iran ahead of time, but it has not been confirmed whether a formal notification was provided by Israel.[58][59] According to two Israeli officials, the Israeli government asked the Trump administration to join them and help in the prelude of attacks against Iran.[60] US President Donald Trump said he hoped Israel and Iran can reach a deal, but adds that his country will continue to support Israel.[61] Key right-wing figures, including some of Trump's allies, questioned Israel's attacks and warning of a US war with Iran.[62]
In the weeks leading up to Israeli attacks on Iran, the Israeli government faced international pressure over the high risk of famine in Gaza and the killing of civilians.[63] Even Israel's closest allies in Europe had become critical of the Gaza Strip famine and the EU had announced it would reconsider its free-trade deal with Israel.[63] Political scientist Xavier Abu Eid[63] and journalists Tamara Davison[64] and Kiomars Samadi[65] stated that the attack on Iran provided a distraction from Israel's actions in Gaza. Nesrine Malik said the attack was an attempt by Israel to bring Europe, alienated but the civilian suffering in Gaza, back to its side.[66] Israeli relations with Iran were a unifying factor between left-wing and right-wing Israelis.[65] The day before the attack on Iran, Israel destroyed telecommunications infrastructure in Gaza, cutting off communications between Gaza and the rest of the world.[67]
Choice of operation name
According to former U.S. Middle East policy official Brett McGurk, the name referred to the revival of the Lion and Sun, which was the emblem of Iran until the 1979 Islamic revolution.[68]The Jerusalem Post reported that the name of the operation, is derived from the biblical Book of Numbers (23:24): "Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion."[69]
Final decision
In a speech announcing the Israeli attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "For decades, the leaders of Tehran have openly called for Israel's destruction. They have backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a nuclear weapons program".[5] Netanyahu said that Israel attacked because "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, less than a year."[70] Hence, Netanyahu announced the launch of Operation Rising Lion, a military campaign targeting Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz, its nuclear scientists, and parts of its ballistic missile program, declaring the operation would continue "for as many days as it takes". Netanyahu described Iran's nuclear efforts as "a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival", and emphasized that in acting, "we also defend our Arab neighbors" from Iranian aggression.[71]
The Israeli prime minister in a speech following the attack stated that Israel's war was against the Iranian form of government and not against the Iranian people.[26] Netanyahu convened the security cabinet as the situation unfolded.[72]
The Israeli airstrikes against Iran's nuclear program were carried out by over 200 fighter jets, including multiple F-35I Adir fighters,[73] the Israeli variant of the American F-35 Lightning II stealth strike fighter. The F-35I's were reportedly modified with low-observable conformal fuel tanks to enable them to have the range and endurance to conduct operations over Iran without compromising stealthy characteristics or requiring mid-air refueling.[74][75] Israeli fighter jets targeted over 100 sites across Iran,[73] including the Natanz enrichment facility and other infrastructure associated with Iran's nuclear program.[76] No nuclear accidents occurred as a result of the airstrikes, as operational nuclear reactors, such as the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and the Tehran Research Reactor, were not attacked. Although damaged nuclear centrifuges can release low-level radiation and industrial chemicals that can threaten on-site personnel, they can neither trigger nuclear explosions nor can they cause large-scale contamination of an area.[76]
Timeline
13 June
Early morning
Impact on buildings in TehranAftermath of the Israeli strikes in Tehran
In the early hours of 13June 2025, the IDF attacked dozens of Iranian nuclear facilities, military bases and infrastructure installations, and key military commanders, including some targets, Israeli officials said, that were not anticipated by Tehran.[72] By 06:30IDT, the Israeli Air Force had launched five waves of air strikes[77], using more than 200 Israeli aircraft to drop more than 330 munitions on about 100 targets.[78]
Meanwhile, the Mossad sabotaged Iran's air defense systems and missile infrastructure.[79] An Israeli official said Mossad had smuggled precision weapons and established a covert drone base near Tehran,[80] which were used to disable air defenses, securing air superiority for Israeli aircraft.[80]
Around 03:00 local time, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a nationwide state of emergency, warning of an imminent missile and drone retaliation.[81] Warning sirens were activated across Israel in anticipation of a possible Iranian counterattack, though Iran would launch no ballistic missiles until the following evening.[72] Katz further described Israel's attack on Iran as a "preemptive strike".[82] According to the IDF, the action was prompted by intelligence indicating Iran had amassed enough enriched uranium to produce up to 15 nuclear weapons within days.[72]
Explosions were reported across Tehran, including near military bases and in neighborhoods housing senior commanders. Eyewitnesses described enormous flames and repeated blasts.[9][83]Fars News Agency, which is linked to the IRGC, reported that multiple homes were struck in Shahrak-e Mahallati, a neighborhood in eastern Tehran where high-ranking Iranian military officers and their families reside.[83] The attack reportedly set on fire the IRGC headquarters in Tehran.[84] Some residential complexes were hit during the attack, including ones that housed Iranian officers and officials. Reportedly, the strength of the explosions caused some buildings[which?] to collapse.[85]
Blasts were reported in Natanz, in Isfahan province, where one of Iran's most critical nuclear facilities is located. Iranian state TV confirmed "loud explosions" near the site, which houses two enrichment plants: the large underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) above ground.[86] Nuclear sites at Khondab and Khorramabad were also targeted.[83][87]
Afternoon
Israel conducted strikes in Tabriz in the early afternoon, reportedly targeting an area near Tabriz Airport.[88]Shiraz and the Natanz Nuclear Facility were struck by Israel as well.[84] Explosions also occurred at the Hamadan Airbase[89][90] and the Parchin military base.[91] Two explosions also occurred near the subterranean Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant,[92] where an Israeli drone was reportedly shot down by Iranian air defenses.[93] The IDF later confirmed striking the Hamadan and Tabriz airbases, asserting that it had "dismantled" the latter airbase and also destroyed dozens of Iranian drones and surface-to-surface missile launchers.[94]
Iranian media reported that at least two Israeli fighter jets were downed over Iranian airspace and a female pilot was captured.[96][97] The IDF denied this.[98]
14 June
In the early morning of 14 June, Iranian media reported an explosion at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport, followed by reports of a large fire at the facility. According to Fars News Agency, two projectiles struck the surrounding area.[99] Iranian air defenses also engaged with Israeli projectiles above Isfahan.[100] Reportedly, Iranian military shot down multiple Israeli drones on reconnaissance missions in northwestern Iran, with both sides exchanging fire.[101] IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and IAF Commander Tomer Bar declared in the morning that "the way to Tehran has been paved."[102] The IDF later said that it bombed an underground facility in western Iran used to store dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles.[103]
Iran confirmed the deaths of two additional senior commanders: General Gholamreza Mehrabi, deputy head of intelligence for the armed forces general staff, and General Mehdi Rabbani, deputy head of operations.[104] By this date, Iran also claimed to have downed three Israeli F-35 jets and taken two pilots into custody.[105] Iran's Ministry of Petroleum announced that two oil fields in Bushehr province were attacked: the Phase 14 platform of South Pars Gas field and the Fajr Jam gas refinery.[106][107] The attacks sparked major fires that halted the production of at least 12 million cubic meters of gas.[108] By then, according to the Red Crescent Society, Israel's attacks affected 18 out of the 31 provinces of Iran, with 1,414 of its personnel participating in relief efforts.[109]
At 23:11 local time, the IDF announced that it began a new wave of strikes on "military targets" in Tehran.[110] Oil and gasoline depots were struck in the city, cutting off electricity in the Shahran neighborhood.[111] Later in the night, Tasnim News Agency reported that Israeli attacks in the capital hit the headquarters of the Iranian Ministry of Defence as well as the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research building.[112]
15 June
Fire after Israeli attack on 15 June 2025
The IDF warned Iranian civilians to evacuate from the areas surrounding weapon factories and military bases in Shiraz.[83][113] A strike was reported on the Ministry of Justice building in Tehran.[114] The IAF said that it bombed a refueling plane at the Mashhad Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport—around 2,300 kilometres (1,400mi) from its territory—in what was possibly the most distant operation in its history.[115]
It was reported that Iran had sought mediation from Oman and Qatar to engage with the United States, aiming to halt the strikes and revive the stalled nuclear negotiations.[116] Iran stated that they had arrested two individuals that they claimed were members of Mossad.[117]
Israel struck surface-to-surface missiles in Iran as well as military bases. Israel also struck the Iranian foreign ministry.[11] Missiles struck and killed the intelligence chief and the intelligence deputy chief of the IRGC.[118]
Along with the airstrikes five car bombs detonated across Tehran, with explosions taking place next to government and nuclear-related sites. Iran's state-run news agency IRNA, citing informed sources, claimed that the operation was executed by Israel, even though an Israeli official denied any involvement.[119][120]
Netanyahu explained in an interview to Fox News that Israel had no choice but to attack Iran in order to prevent a nuclear holocaust. In the interview, Netanyahu described the attack as occurring in the "12th hour" and was done to protect both Israel and the world. Netanyahu described the Iranian government as oppressing the Iranian people and said it was the Iranian people's choice whether to "rise up".[11]
16 June
The IDF hit the command center of the Quds Force in Tehran.[121] An Israeli official toldthe Wall Street Journal that there were indications that the underground nuclear facility in Natanz had "imploded".[122] Iran International reported explosions were heard in the vicinity of the Fordow nuclear facility.[123] IDF strikes were said to have taken place in the vicinity of the Parchin military installations.[124] The IRGC's Ansar al-Mahdi Corps reported that one of its commanders and a soldier was killed in an attack in Ijrud County of Zanjan province.[125] A news agency affiliated with the Iranian judiciary reported that an alleged agent for Israel, Ismail Fikri, was executed by hanging, the news agency reported that Fikri was in contact with two Mossad officers before his arrest.[126]
The IDF said it have destroyed 120 surface-to-surface missile launchers in Iran and achieved "full air supremacy" in Tehran's airspace. Brigadier-General Effie Defrin said that 30% of Iran's missile launchers have been destroyed.[127] Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu also said that Israel controls the skies of Tehran.[128] He also would not rule out assassinating Supreme Leader Khamenei, saying "It's not going to escalate the conflict, it's going to end it."[129] The IDF said it destroyed a weapons convoy between Tehran and Qom.[130]
The IRNA News Agency reported that Israeli forces struck the Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah, causing significant damage to the hospital and the buildings surrounding it.[131] At least 15 buildings in the Kermanshah missile factory were hit by Israel.[128] Israel bombed the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB during a live broadcast, sending anchors fleeing. It claims that the center of the IRIB was used by the Iranian Armed Forces to promote military operations under civilian cover,[132] which was denied by Iran.[133] Israel issued evacuation orders to residents of some areas of Tehran.[134] Israel hit Iranian missile launchers in Western Iran.[135] The IDF said one of its drones destroyed 2 Iranian F-14 s.[136] Nour News reported that Iranian forces shot down an F-35 over Tabriz.[137]
Casualties
Iranian health authorities reported 224 killed, adding majority of the casualties were civilians.[138] US-based organization HRANA reported 408 killed, including 92 military members, 199 civilians and 117 unidentified dead.[139]
Regional sources said that at least 20 senior commanders were killed in the strikes.[140] Confirmed casualties include Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC commander Hossein Salami, IRGC senior commander Gholam Ali Rashid, and IRGC commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh.[141][142] The IDF said that a strike on an underground command center killed most of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force's leadership after they had convened for a meeting, including IRGC air force commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh as well as the leaders of the IRGC's air defense and drone units.[143] In total, the IDF reported killing at least six senior military commanders—Bagheri, Salami, Ali Rashid, Ali Hajizadeh, IRGC air defense unit commander Davoud Shaykhian, and IRGC drone unit commander Taher Pour.[144]The New York Times reported the death of Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani,[145] although Israel believes that he is still alive.[146] According to Netanyahu, IRGC intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi and his deputy, Hassan Mohaqeq, were killed.[147]
Nuclear scientists Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were also killed, according to Iranian state media.[18][148]Tasnim News Agency later added four more scientists who were killed.[149] Israel named nine nuclear scientists who it said were killed, including successors to Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the chief of Iran's nuclear program who was assassinated in 2020. Two regional sources reported on 15 June that the death toll of Iranian nuclear scientists rose to 14, including some killed in car bombings.[150]
Civilians, including women and children, were among the casualties according to local media outlets.[151][152] Tasnim News Agency later reported that over 50 people were injured in Tehran's northern district of Tajrish, including 35 women and children, who were taken to Chamran Hospital.[153] The governor of Iran's north-western East Azerbaijan province said 31 people were killed during the first day's strikes in the province, including 30 soldiers and one member of the Iranian Red Crescent.[154]France 24 interviewed several people inside Iran who said they personally knew the victims of the Israeli attack to be civilians.[155] Iranian hospital staff interviewed by France24 reported that children were killed in the Israeli attacks.[155]
The Iranian army has claimed to have downed three Israeli fighter jets, allegedly killing one pilot and capturing the other.[105] The IDF has repeatedly denied claims of air force casualties or damage.[98][156] Due to the absence of bomb shelters in Tehran, Iranians were instructed to shelter in underground parking lots.[11]
Iran was reported to have executed Esmail Fekri by hanging on 16 June 2025, after being convicted of passing sensitive intelligence to the Mossad.[157]
After the attack, Iran promised a "harsh response" against Israel. It said that they are going to attack Israeli and US forces stationed in military bases across the Middle East. The US later evacuated some of its soldiers in Iraq and also authorized the evacuation of family members of US soldiers across the region.[82][160] According to IDF Brigadier General Effie Defrin, roughly more than 100 Shahed drones were launched by Iran and Iraq towards Israel in retaliation.[71][161] Sirens were activated in Amman, Jordan's capital.[162][163] Some of the drones were intercepted by the Royal Jordanian Air Force over Jordanian air space and some by the IAF over Saudi Arabia and Syria.[164] Later, various Israeli sources said that an order for Israeli civilians to seek shelter was lifted, suggesting that a majority or all of the drones were destroyed.[82] An intercepted drone fell on a house and wounded three people in Irbid, Jordan.[165]
The Houthis also fired a ballistic missile from Yemen targeting Jerusalem,[166] with it landing in Hebron, West Bank, injuring five Palestinians.[167] At around 9:00p.m. local time—ten minutes before Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israel—Israeli citizens were given phone alerts warning about an incoming attack. The IDF estimated that less than 100 ballistic missiles were launched during the attack, although Iranian state news agency IRNA reported that hundreds of missiles were launched. Citizens were authorized to leave their shelters at around 10:10.[168] Tel Aviv was targeted with Iranian missiles following during attack; while some missiles were intercepted by Israel, others were able to hit their targets in Tel Aviv,[95] including an apparent direct hit on The Kirya military headquarters near Begin Road.[169] Iran codenamed its counterattack "Operation True Promise 3", and said that it attacked dozens of targets, including military sites and airbases.[170] The IDF estimated that around 150 ballistic missiles were fired in two waves during the attack.[171]Magen David Adom reported that at least 63 Israelis were injured –one critically, one seriously, eight mildly, and the rest lightly.[172] A civilian woman critically injured later succumbed to her wounds.[173] Seven soldiers were among the injured, receiving light wounds.[174] The Israel Fire and Rescue Services rescued two people from a building struck in Tel Aviv,[175] while the IDF's Home Front Command rescued another civilian from a building in the city.[168] Despite this, there were no reports of significant damage from Iran's retaliatory strikes.[176]
Trump warned Iran against attacking American personnel or infrastructure, saying "If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before,".[11]Rachel Reeves, British minister of finance told Sky News that Britain may help in Israel's protection.[177]
Western Wall Plaza under evacuation orders on 13 June 2025Civil defense siren and missile explosions sounds, recorded in Central Israel, 13 June 2025 at 21:15
14 June
On 14 June, at around 1a.m.,[168] Iran launched another barrage consisting of dozens of missiles, most of which were intercepted, according to an IDF spokesperson.[178] Seven people were injured in the attack, one mildly.[179] Two MDA ambulance workers were lightly hurt by broken glass after shrapnel hit their intensive care unit.[180]
There were reports of a fifth missile barrage launched by Iran as Israel, with help of the US, intercepted incoming missiles.[181][71] The number of injured civilians increased over 60, as several homes were reported heavily damaged. As a result of a direct hit on a building in Rishon LeZion at least two civilians were killed and over 20 others injured,[182][183][181] including a 3-month-old baby who was rescued from the debris.[184] The IDF later announced that Iran had fired 200 ballistic missiles since the night of 13 June, with around 25% of them hitting open areas. It asserted that a "small number" of missiles evaded air defenses and struck residential areas in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Rishon LeZion, causing casualties.[185]
According to reports, several Iranian missiles transited Syrian airspace en route to Israel, with at least two missiles falling in Daraa Governorate (southern Syria), prompting Damascus to halt flights due to regional instability.[186] Reportedly, several Arab states have participated in shooting down Iranian drones, or sharing radar information to help in destroying them.[187]
In the night, Iran fired another barrage of missiles targeting northern Israel, killing five people and injuring at least 23 others. The Home Front Command put out phone alerts at 11p.m., and citizens were cleared to leave shelters at 11:45.[188] A ballistic missile hit a two-story house in Tamra, killing a woman and wounding 14 others.[189] Four members of a family, including a woman and her two daughters, were killed in a separate missile strike.[190] A fire also broke out near the BAZAN oil refinery in Haifa, where pipes and transmission lines were damaged.[191][192]
15 June
Aftermath of the Iranian attacks in Bat Yam
On the morning of 15 June, Iran and the Houthis in Yemen launched ballistic missiles simultaneously, which led to impacts on buildings in Bat Yam and Rehovot, a mall in Kiryat Ekron, and in Tel Aviv.[193] The strike in Bat Yam killed nine people, including three aged 8, 10 and 18, and one missing. 61 buildings were damaged according to mayor Tzvika Brot.[194] Around 200 people were injured, according to the MDA, several of which were serious.[195][196] Five of the civilians killed in Bat Yam were Ukrainian nationals.[11] Israel later declared that it intercepted most of the missiles and that the remainder failed to enter Israeli territory.[197]
The Weizmann Institute of Science, a postdoc scientific research center in Rehovot, was hit by Iran.[198] The Israeli Defense Ministry reported that central Israel was attacked by missiles coming from Yemen, which was later confirmed by the Houthis, stating that they used a number of Palestine 2 ballistic missiles in coordination with the Iranian military.[199] Germany warned that Iran may target Jewish or Israeli communities in Germany, following which Germany increased security around relevant institutions.[200]
Debris from Iranian missiles also hit two sites in the West Bank. At around 11:20a.m., a rooftop fire was caused by a Shahab-class missile in al-Bireh, a few meters from the home of Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority. Three children were wounded by broken glass after debris from a missile intercepted over central Israel landed outside Sa'ir around 90 minutes later.[201]
Later in the day, Iran fired a barrage consisting of several ballistic missiles at Israel,[202] but no impacts or casualties were reported.[203] Iran would later fire a missile at an area in Caesarea, near the family home of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The IDF announced that the missiles were intercepted, with at least 50 rockets having downed.[204]
In the evening, Iran fired several barrages of missiles at Israel, injuring seven people in Haifa and one in Kiryat Gat, while also causing fires and property damage. An additional nine people were treated for panic attacks.[205]
16 June
On 16 June, Iran launched another barrage of missiles against Israel. Missile fragments were reported to have caused damage to the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.[206][207][208] A school in Tel Aviv as well as homes in Bnei Brak, Haifa and Petah Tikva were hit. Eight civilians were killed and over 90 were injured.[209][210] Israel reported 287 people were hospitalized overnight.[209]An elderly person was found dead beneath debris in Bat Yam.[211] Haifa's oil refinery was among the targets.[212] According to Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft executive vice president Trita Parsi, successive Iranian missile attacks may have eroded Israeli defenses, allowing a larger percentage of missiles to get through than before.[213] Following the attacks, Israel confirmed 24 fatalities to date, the majority of which occurred outside bomb shelters, and had tallied 350 Iranian missiles, clustering around 30–60 at a time.[214]
CNN reported Iran said it will not negotiate with the United States until it finishes its retaliation against Israel.[128]
A drone fired toward the U.S. consulate in Erbil, Iraq, was intercepted.[215] Iran fired ballistic missiles at Petah Tikva again, and 4 people were killed as a result. One person was seriously injured, and 14 were moderately injured, including two children. Two missiles also hit Tel Aviv, destroying a number of buildings.[216] Iran claimed to have downed an F-35, but Israel refuted the claim saying it was "fake news".[217]
Aftermath
Tasnim News Agency reported that Iranian authorities suspended flights at Imam Khomeini International Airport, although the facility itself was not directly affected by the attacks.[218][219] Return flights were perforce canceled for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.[220]CNN reported that Iranians as of 15 June are fleeing major cities in Iran.[11]
Flights were also suspended from Israel's airports[221] and both Iraq[222] and Jordan closed their airspace.[223] Israel declared a state of special emergency, shut down its airspace, closed schools and banned large social gatherings. Israel also called up tens of thousands of IDF reservists in preparation for an Iranian retaliation.[224] The IDF announced that all of its pilots involved in the strikes returned unharmed.[225]
The Community Security Trust issued warnings to the Jewish communities in the United Kingdom and France. Jewish Community Protection Service asked French Jews to be "extremely vigilant". The Jerusalem Post reported the Anti-Defamation League was monitoring the situation within the United States.[226] The NYPD said they are increasing security at Jewish sites across New York City.[227] New York governor Kathy Hochul said that the state is closely monitoring the situation, increasing security at sensitive sites and cybersecurity operations. New York City mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that they are deploying officers to Israeli embassies for protection, with Tisch saying: "That heightened deployment continued today and will continue for the next several days".[228][229]
On 15 June, the American embassy in Iraq warned Americans may be targeted in attacks. The State Department issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory for Iraq.[11]
Economy
The strikes against Iran caused oil prices to increase by 7% on 13 June, later increasing to 11%, making them the highest in a month.[230][231] The US dollar grew, bitcoin dropped to $103,000, and gold prices rose by over 1%.[232][233] The Global Futures stock market fell; Dow futures lost 600 points.[234][235] Stocks of various international airline companies significantly decreased after the attack. Stocks of Lufthansa dropped by 5%, while stocks of Air France, KLM and EasyJet fell by 3–4%. Reportedly, airlines stopped their operations over the airspace of Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan, diverting some flights and canceling others.[236] The New York Times reported that Iranians were waiting in lines for fuel and stocking up on basic food items.[237]
Despite the onset of the strikes, Israeli stock indexes (TA35, TA90) rose on the first day of trading during the conflict.[11] On 16 June the Israeli shekel spiked +3.6%, reaching its highest level since 9 October 2023.[238]
Diplomacy
The United Nations Security Council meeting on 13 June concluded with statements from Iran's and Israel's respective ambassadors to the UN. The Iranian ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani stated that Israel's attacks constituted a declaration of war, accusing Israel of premeditated aggression and of a direct violation of the UN Charter. The Israeli ambassador Danny Danon presented the attacks as "self-preservation for the state of Israel", asserted that they were prompted by a failure of diplomacy, and declared that he had come to seek "recognition that the international community has failed to stop Iran's nuclear programme".[239] Following the attack, diplomatic talks about nuclear energy between US and Iran which were scheduled to take place in Oman were indefinitely suspended.[240][187]
On 15 June, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides announced he received a message from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meant for the Israeli government, which Christodoulides will discuss in a scheduled phone call with Benjamin Netanyahu.[241] That same day, Israeli media reported that Iran had approached the governments of Qatar and Oman to contact the United States in order to request a cessation of Israeli attacks.[116] President Trump announced that "many calls and meetings" were underway to broker a ceasefire, which was expected to take hold shortly, adding he anticipated a deal "soon".[242] On 16 June, the Iranian foreign ministry reported that Islamic Consultative Assembly, the nation's parliament, had begun drafting a proposal to exit the Non-Proliferation Treaty, while insisting that Iran did not intend to pursue nuclear weapons.[243]
Impact on civil infrastructure
A residential building in Tehran damaged during an attack, 13 June 2025
Internet access and Starlink activation
Following the Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear sites in June 2025, widespread internet outages were reported across major Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. These blackouts were attributed both to infrastructural damage and deliberate government-imposed restrictions aimed at controlling the spread of information.[244][245]
In response to the shutdown, Elon Musk's SpaceX reactivated its Starlink satellite internet service for Iran. According to reports, the move was intended to provide Iranian civilians with uncensored access to the internet during the conflict. Starlink terminals, which had been clandestinely smuggled into the country since late 2022, were reportedly used by journalists, activists, and tech-savvy citizens to bypass state censorship.[246]
Responses
Iran
Government
The spokesman of the Iranian Armed Forces, Abolfazl Shekarchi, vowed to retaliate against Israel and the United States.[9] Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei released a statement following the strikes, calling the attacks a "crime" and warned that the "Zionist regime prepared for itself a bitter and painful fate".[247] The Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that Iran has the "legal and legitimate" right to respond to Israeli attacks under the UN Charter, also stating that the US will also be responsible for the "dangerous effects and consequences of the Zionist regime's adventure".[248] The IRGC stated that it is ready to respond even after the death of its chief, Hossein Salami.[249]Ahmad Vahidi was appointed as a temporary IRGC commander[250][non-primary source needed] until Ali Khamenei appointed Major General Mohammad Pakpour.[251] MP Alaeddin Boroujerdi said that "Iran will not participate in the sixth round of nuclear talks with the United States on [15 June] and until further notice."[252][240] Former President Mohammad Khatami called for condemnation of this "criminal act" and said that the UN should be at the "forefront" in the effort "to prevent further tragedies by seriously and comprehensively" condemning Israel.[164] Iran warned the United States, United Kingdom, and France that any assistance to Israel will result in their regional bases and ships being targeted,[253] and one of the Iranian missiles has caused damage to the US consulate in Tel aviv.[254] On 13 June, the head of the Islamic Consultative Assembly's Councils Committee declared that "the Zionist regime and the United States should know that they will receive a swift, decisive, and shattering response." The following day, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, a member of the Expediency Council, called for targeting U.S. positions in the region, accusing Washington of deceit and urging it to reconsider its support for Israel.[255] Iran's communications ministry announced nationwide internet restrictions.[256]
Iranian public
Years of economic hardship, political repression, and global isolation have left many Iranians with little faith in the possibility of reform. Some Iranians who spoke to international media described feeling relief or even joy at the deaths of senior government figures. One individual told The Washington Post: "We have no fear... even if there's a war that involves the people, it's still better than the situation we are in with this government." Another said, "I have not been this happy in ten years."[257]NPR quoted a woman saying: "When I heard the news, I lost my control and was shouting, thanking Netanyahu for killing these criminals." Others shared that they had begun celebrating with family members, calling the news the first source of national relief in years.[258] Many openly chanted "Death to Khamenei" and circulated videos critical of the regime. Some social media users proposed symbolic targets, including the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting and Mojtaba Khamenei, the Supreme Leader's son, known for his role in suppressing past protests.[259]
However, some Iranians expressed concern about escalation, and pro-government demonstrations were also reported. Protesters in Qom and Tehran called for retaliation.[260][164] Protesters waved the flags of Iran and Palestine and carried portraits of slain IRGC general Qasem Soleimani.[261] In Tehran, demonstrators held photographs of slain commanders and scientists. One woman said: "We won't relent until the complete destruction of Israel. ... It's not a question of revenge. Israel must be wiped off the page of time forever."[257] Locals, including a taxi driver and a teacher interviewed by the Associated Press, expressed pride in Iran's missile response, stating: "We will go after them to punish them". In downtown Tehran, a woman expressed satisfaction with Iran's attack, connecting it to Israel's ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.[262] Others expressed feeling fearful of the current situation: "We are killed a thousand times with stress, especially for people like myself who have kids".[257]
The US-based National Iranian American Council condemned Israel's attack, writing that it "lacked legal justification under international law" and "unnecessarily endangered the lives of many innocent people".[265]
Israel
Netanyahu stated in a televised address: "We are at a decisive moment in Israel's history" and added: "We are defending the free world from the terrorism and barbarism that Iran fosters and exports across the globe."[266] He thanked Donald Trump for his support and said the attack was an immediate operational necessity to roll back uranium enrichment threat.[267][268][269] He further said the attacks would continue for "as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us."[270][271] In that same address, Netanyahu also stated that Israel's war was against the Iranian form of government and not against the Iranian people.[26] Netanyahu convened the security cabinet as the situation unfolded.[72] Israeli government officials said that Iran already possessed enough enriched uranium for fifteen nuclear bombs.[271]
According to JNS, "Rising Lion", the name of the operation first made public in Netanyahu's televized address, is derived from the biblical Book of Numbers (23:24): "Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion." JNS also suggested that the name referred to the revival of the Lion and Sun, which was the emblem of Iran until the 1979 Islamic revolution.[5][26][68]
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated in a televised address that the Israeli Army is "mobilizing tens of thousands of soldiers and preparing across all borders," as he warned that "anyone who tries to challenge us will pay a heavy price" and that "it was at point of no return".[272]
Opposition Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid offered his "full support" for the operations against Iran.[273]
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said Iran has crossed red lines by targeting civilians, and added that they will pay very heavy prices for that.[274][71] Katz warned that "Tehran will burn" if Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel.[275] The city of Tel Aviv canceled its annual Pride Parade, which typically attracts tens of thousands of participants.[84]
Israeli communication with Iranians
Iranian security forces have initiated a broad crackdown on individuals accused of sharing content considered "supportive of Israel". On 13 June, police in Hormozgan Province announced the detention of 14 individuals accused of disrupting "public opinion and spread rumors in cyberspace." Despite these efforts, many Iranians used various tools to bypass restrictions and share footage of missile strikes, slogans, and protest imagery and to access Israeli messaging online. Within 24 hours of the strikes, Persian-language posts by Israel's Foreign Ministry received nearly 20 million views, 14 million from Instagram alone. A video address by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu surpassed 1.4 million views, and a series of 23 posts on X accumulated 4.5 million views. In his address, Netanyahu told the Iranian people: "Israel's fight is not with you... Our fight is with our common enemy: the murderous regime that both oppresses you and impoverishes you." This messaging was amplified by diaspora voices and some users within Iran, who began naming domestic targets they hoped would be struck, including state broadcasters and high-ranking officials.[255] According to Israeli officials, the majority of engagement came from inside Iran. Israeli officials described the numbers as "unprecedented", stating: "The Iranian public is signaling that it wants to listen, talk to us and make its voice heard."[255][276]
United States
Trump praised the Israeli strikes as "excellent" and "very successful,"[277] and warned that Iran must "make a deal now" over its nuclear program or face "even more destructive and deadly military action." He said there had already been "great death and destruction" and cautioned that future strikes would be "even more brutal." Trump criticized Iran for refusing multiple chances to reach an agreement, saying he told them to "just do it," but they "just couldn't get it done." He pledged continued military support for Israel, stating, "Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – and they know how to use it."[278] He suggested that the attacks were coordinated with the talks he was conducting: "we gave Iran 60 days to make a deal and today is 61, right?".[279]
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Israel acted independently, stating the U.S. was not involved. He said that Israel informed the U.S. it viewed the attack as an act of self-defense. Rubio warned: "Iran should not target US interests or personnel" and also said the administration was taking all necessary steps and maintaining communication with regional partners.[84][280] The US moved military forces closer to the Middle East.[281] On 16 June it was reported that the US is moving forces to the Middle East.[282]
International organizations
UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to show maximum restraint.[283] His spokesperson Farhan Haq stated that "the Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East".[284]NATO called it crucial for Israel's allies to help de-escalate tensions.[285]Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency commented that "nuclear facilities must never be attacked, regardless of the context or circumstances, as it could harm both people and the environment. Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as regional and international peace and security."[286]
Algeria: Algeria denounced the attacks and urged the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to take full responsibility for defending global peace and security and ending Israeli policies that jeopardize regional security and stability.[288]
Argentina: President Javier Milei backed Israel's military actions against Iran, saying that "Israel accepts that other countries exist, but Iran doesn't accept that Israel exist."[289]
Armenia: The Foreign Ministry condemned the "unilateral attack against Iran [that] endanger[s] the peaceful efforts as well as overall regional stability & global peace."[290][non-primary source needed]
Australia: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that although he is aware of the "threat that Iran becoming a nuclear state would represent to peace and security in the region", he cautioned against greater escalation, where he called for US-led dialogue to discontinue further destabilization in the region.[291] Foreign minister Penny Wong said that she was "alarmed" by the rising tensions between Israel and Iran, while also stating that "This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile."[292]
Azerbaijan: The Foreign Ministry conveyed its profound concern over the attacks and urged all sides to settle their issues amicably and in conformity with international legal norms and principles.[293]
Bahrain: Bahrain denounced the attacks and warned of the serious consequences for regional stability and security. It demanded restraint, de-escalation, and a lowering of tensions.[294]
Bangladesh: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly condemned Israel's military attack on Iran, calling it a violation of international law and a threat to global peace. The country urged all sides to show restraint and stressed that "diplomacy and mutual respect remain the only viable path to lasting peace."[295]
Belarus: Belarus expressed serious alarm over the attacks. It claimed that using force in the war might have unpredicted worldwide repercussions, endanger regional stability and security, and spark a humanitarian crisis.[296]
Belgium: Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot expressed his concern about any action that contributes to additional instability in the region and said that the Israeli assault on Iran and the Iranian response represent a hazardous turning point.[297]
Bolivia: President Luis Arce denounced the attacks and cautioned about the unpredictable repercussions of these incidents. Arce wished for a speedy return to peace and conveyed his "deep solidarity with the brotherly people and the Government of Iran (...)".[298]
Brazil: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing its "firm condemnation" of the Israeli strikes, calling them a "clear violation" of Iranian sovereignty and of international law.[299]
Bulgaria: The Foreign Ministry declared that it was closely monitoring the situation with great concern. It urged everyone to be extremely restrained and to defuse the situation right away.[300]
Canada: Prime Minister Mark Carney called for "maximum restraint" while reaffirming "Israel's right to defend itself and ensure its security."[301]
Chile: The Foreign Ministry stated that the Chilean government is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of violence between Israel and Iran, which resulted from the former's preemptive strike against Iranian military installations, a crisis that jeopardizes regional and international peace and stability.[302]
China: Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian called for "ways conducive to regional peace and stability."[164] China's ambassador to the UN, Fu Cong, condemned the strikes.[303] China's embassy in Iran described the situation as "severe and complex," advising its citizens to stay alert and avoid sensitive or crowded locations[71] as did its embassy in Tel Aviv.[304]
Colombia: The Foreign Ministry stated that the Colombian government has called for moderation, respect for diplomatic channels, and the use of multilateral institutions to assist prevent the conflict from escalating and to allow progress toward a peaceful and long-term solution in the region.[305]
Croatia: The Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing significant worry over the Middle East's escalating security situation.[306]
Cuba: President and Communist Party First Secretary Miguel Díaz-Canel vehemently denounced the attacks, demanded a halt to the violence, and urged adherence to international law.[307]
Cyprus: President Nikos Christodoulides stated that Cyprus "is not involved in any way, and its role, as always, is stabilizing and humanitarian." He hoped that no additional escalation in the region would occur because it "does not help in any situation whatsoever".[308]
Czech Republic: Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called the strikes a "reasonable reaction" to Iran's threat of a nuclear bomb and support for Hamas and Hezbollah. He said he has "a great deal of understanding for... military action aimed at preventing the production of a nuclear bomb," adding that "Iran has long failed to fulfill its obligations to the international community, is building up its nuclear program and, at the same time, uses rhetoric aimed at destroying the state of Israel".[309]
Egypt: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that Egypt is closely monitoring the current situation. It condemned the strikes, claiming they would worsen the situation and spark a wider regional conflict with unheard-of repercussions for stability and security in the area.[310]
Finland: Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen expressed grave concern over the situation, saying the cycle of military escalation must be stopped.[311]
France: President Emmanuel Macron called for "maximum restraint" while reaffirming "Israel's right to defend itself and ensure its security."[312]
Georgia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed grave worry about the rising threat to regional and international security posed by the developing tensions between Iran and Israel. It made clear how crucial diplomatic efforts are to achieving de-escalation and maintaining stability.[313]
Germany: Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged both Israel and Iran to "refrain from steps that could lead to a further escalation and destabilize the whole region." He confirmed that Netanyahu had informed him of the operation in a phone call and stated that Germany is prepared to use "all available diplomatic means" to help de-escalate the conflict. Merz also stressed that "the aim must remain that Iran not develop any nuclear weapons", and reaffirmed Israel's "right to protect its existence and the security of its citizens." He added that German security services will step up protection for Jewish and Israeli sites domestically.[314][315]
Greece: Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized how urgently the area needs to de-escalate. He stressed that diplomacy is the only realistic way to move forward while accepting that Iran must not get a nuclear capability. He also cautioned against creating new fronts in the Middle East conflict.[316]
Guatemala: The Guatemalan government released a statement expressing serious concern about the attacks. It underlined that this circumstance only serves to intensify a conflict that has the potential to go beyond the area and take on global proportions.[317]
India: Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was "closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites."[71]
Indonesia: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned Israel's large-scale strike on Tehran, warning that the attack could heighten regional tensions.[318] Spokesman Rolliansyah Soemirat stated that all countries are obligated to resolve disputes peacefully and in line with international law.[319]
Iraq: The Iraqi government lamented the failure of diplomatic efforts amid the US–Iran negotiations and denounced Israel's use of force against Iran as a "flagrant violation of international law and the United Nations Charter", and called on the UNSC to convene immediately.[320] Additionally, Iraq urged the United States to stop Israel from violating Iraqi airspace while attacking Iran, citing bilateral defense agreements between the two countries.[321] Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani spoke with Iranian President Pezeshkian and expressed the country's solidarity with Iran "both people and government" and stated that Iraq is committed to peace.[322]
Ireland: Tánaiste Simon Harris called the attacks as "extraordinarily dangerous" and could not have been more terrible. In a televised speech, he also urged all parties to "step back from the brink" and stated that there must be an immediate "de-escalation" in the area.[323]
Italy: Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said during meetings with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that he wants Iran to avoid a military escalation in the confrontation with Israel, which would be exceedingly harmful for the entire area.[324]
Japan: Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said that the government would "continue all-out diplomatic efforts to prevent the situation from worsening further," and would "take every possible measure" to protect Japanese expatriates.[325]
Jordan: Jordan denounced the strikes as a flagrant breach of international law and the UN Charter, as well as a violation of a United Nations member state's sovereignty. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Sufian Qudah cautioned that the incident jeopardizes regional security and stability and heightens regional tensions.[326]
Kenya: Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'oei called on Iran and Israel to use moderation and look for a peaceful solution to the current problem that led to the current escalation in accordance with the UN Charter.[327]
Kuwait: Kuwait denounced the attacks, calling them a threat to regional security, a flagrant violation of Iranian sovereignty, and a breach of all international rules.[328]
Kyrgyzstan: The Foreign Ministry expressed deep concern over the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran. It urged both parties to use their utmost caution and to abstain from any acts that would worsen the situation in the area in order to find a peaceful solution to the current one.[329]
Lebanon: President Joseph Aoun issued a statement that read the attacks "targeted not only the Iranian people, but also all international efforts to maintain stability in the Middle East and neighboring countries" and "undermine ongoing mediation initiatives that had made significant progress toward achieving realistic and just solutions to avert the threat of war in the region." He also called for "swift and effective action to prevent Israel from advancing its objectives, which he described as increasingly transparent and highly dangerous if allowed to persist."[330]
Libya: The Government of National Unity strongly criticized the strikes, calling them a "blatant violation" of Iranian sovereignty. It emphasized its complete support for diplomatic activities aimed at de-escalating tensions and stressed that such acts undercut ongoing efforts to maintain stability in the region.[331]
Luxembourg: Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel criticized the timing of the airstrikes, saying they came at a time "when the USA and Iran are negotiating over the latter's nuclear program," and emphasized that disagreements should be settled diplomatically.[332]
Malaysia: Malaysia denounced the attacks, stating that they were a major threat to global peace and security and a blatant breach of international law, particularly the UN Charter. It further stated that every effort must be done to stop the situation from getting worse because doing so could destabilize the area and have far-reaching effects on the entire world.[333]
Maldives: President Mohamed Muizzu condemned the strikes and stressed that such aggression violates international law.[334]
Mexico: The Secretariat of Foreign Affairs voiced a strong condemnation of the strikes, stating that they pose a major threat to the civilian population and regional stability. It also highlighted Mexico's peaceful vocation and underlined that its foreign policy is grounded in its constitutional foundations.[335]
Nepal: Nepal voiced serious concerns about the latest increase of confrontations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised both Iran and Israel to avoid further escalation and instead engage in conversation through diplomatic channels to promote peace and regional stability.[336]
Netherlands: The Dutch cabinet expressed concern for the attacks, with Prime Minister Dick Schoof calling it "alarming" and encouraging everyone involved to "maintain calm and refrain from further attacks and reprisals".[337]
Nicaragua: Co-president Rosario Murillo condemned the attacks as unfortunate events. She stressed that "it is a cowardly attack" and that "it violates all laws and norms of coexistence as well as international treaties".[338]
Nigeria: Nigeria denounced the attacks, stating that they have severely increased Middle East tensions and pose a threat to international peace and stability. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa conveyed Nigeria's profound worry and asked all sides to use extreme caution for the sake of regional and international peace.[339]
Norway: Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide criticized the attacks, saying they violate international law, exacerbate regional tensions, and endanger global security.[340]
Oman: Oman blamed Israel for the attacks and its consequences.[341]
Paraguay: The Foreign Ministry issued a statement urging regional peace while reaffirming its strong support for Israel and its right to self-defense.[345]
Peru: The Peruvian government voiced profound worry over the attacks, which imperil international peace and violate international law. It urged all sides to refrain from more escalation, which might have unanticipated effects on regional stability and global security.[346]
Philippines: The Department of Foreign Affairs voiced "grave concern" on the attacks. Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Maria Teresita Daza urged involved countries to deescalate and seek peace. New warnings were released by the Philippine embassies in Iran, Iraq, and Israel, asking Filipinos to stay vigilant and stay out of public areas.[347]
Poland: Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said Poland was monitoring Israel's military action in cooperation with its allies "primarily from the standpoint of Poland's security interests and Polish citizens residing in the Middle East".[348] Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz did not foresee any action by the Polish troop contingents in Lebanon and Turkey.[349] Prime Minister Donald Tusk referred to the attacks to justify scaling up domestic arms production.[350]
Portugal: Presidential candidate Luís Marques Mendes urged Europe to take decisive action to prevent such attacks, which he described as "a completely gratuitous, profoundly unnecessary, and above all, very dangerous intervention in a very sensitive area of the world".[351]
Qatar: Qatar strongly condemned the Israeli strike on Iran, stating that it was a blatant infringement of Iran's security and sovereignty as well as a blatant violation of international law. It reaffirmed its unwavering stance against all forms of violence and urged moderation in order to prevent escalation, which would broaden the conflict's scope and jeopardize regional peace and stability.[352]
Russia: Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "Russia is concerned by and condemns the sharp escalation in tensions".[353]
Serbia: President Aleksandar Vučić expressed concern that the attacks may lead to economic instability, political volatility, and global unease. "All I want is for this to be over as quickly as possible," he added.[306]
Singapore: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing great worry about the region's escalating tensions. It called on all parties to the confrontation between Iran and Israel to use moderation and to defuse the situation.[355]
Slovenia: President Nataša Pirc Musar blamed Israel for "escalating" the situation.[306] Deputy ambassador to the UN, Ondina Blokar Drobič, voiced her profound concern about the Israeli strike on Iran and the country's response during a Security Council meeting on Friday.[356]
South Africa: The Department of International Relations and Cooperation stated that South Africa is deeply concerned about the attacks, which raise serious concerns under international law, including the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and civilian protection enshrined in the UN Charter and international humanitarian law. Additionally, it called for the immediate escalation of diplomatic efforts to defuse tensions and advance stability in the Middle East and asks all parties to exercise the utmost moderation.[357]
South Korea: A Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated that the government expressed its deep worry over the attacks and denounced any actions that worsened the situation. It called on all involved parties to use the utmost caution and reduce regional tensions.[358]
Spain: The Spanish government denounced the attacks and called on the parties to exercise restraint and put an end to the violence right away. It reaffirmed Spain's dedication to Middle Eastern stability and its intention to keep collaborating with its allies to bring about enduring peace in the area.[359]
Sri Lanka: The Sri Lankan government called on both countries to put diplomacy and communication first in order to defuse the growing tensions between Iran and Israel.[360]
Sweden: Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stated, "It is a very serious situation in a region that is already tense and unstable and we are now following the rapid development very closely and like many others, we are now urging all parties to de-escalate."[361]
Switzerland: Federal Counciller Ignazio Cassis remarked that Switzerland is profoundly worried about the attacks, and urged all sides to use extreme caution and abstain from any behavior that would exacerbate tensions.[362]
Tajikistan: The Foreign Ministry criticized Israel's military operations against Iran and expressed grave concern over the situation's escalation. It underlined that the only legitimate means of resolving any disputes and problems in the area is through conversation and negotiations.[363]
Thailand: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura voiced Thailand's deep concerns about the growing scope and consequences of the conflict. "Thailand urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further deterioration of the situation, which would inevitably harm innocent civilians," he stated.[364]
Tunisia: Tunisia vehemently denounced the attacks and the egregious assault on its security and sovereignty, which violated the UN Charter and all international rules and standards and threatened the foundations of peace, security, and stability not just in the region but globally.[365]
Turkey: The Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks "in the strongest possible terms" saying that "Israel does not want issues to be resolved through diplomatic means."[366]
Ukraine: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed alarm over the attacks, warning that the continuance of hostilities could have a negative impact on international security and global financial stability, particularly in the oil markets. It reminded that the Iranian government arms Moscow to murder Ukrainians and backs Russia in its war against Ukraine.[367]
United Arab Emirates: The United Arab Emirates denounced the strikes, expressing great worry about the current escalation and its implications for regional security and stability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized in a statement the significance of using the highest level of self-control and discernment to reduce risks and stop the conflict from getting worse.[368]
United Kingdom: Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged "all parties to step back" and "return to diplomacy."[369] Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the attacks a "very dangerous moment." According to reports, the UK has no plans to defend Israel from retaliation by Iran.[370] Later the same day, Starmer said the UK has "long held concerns" about Iran's nuclear programme, and that he "absolutely recognize[s] Israel's right to self-defence." At the same time, he stressed the need for "de-escalation."[95] Starmer reiterated those messages during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.[371] On 14 June, the UK began relocating fighter jets to the Middle East as a "contingency" measure, according to PM Starmer, who also hinted it could involve defensive support for Israel.[372]
Conservative leader of the opposition Kemi Badenoch declined to condemn the attacks, emphasizing that "Iran is an enemy of the UK" and had attempted terrorist attacks "on UK soil." She added, "If Israel is stopping Iran from getting nuclear weapons they should not be condemned for that."[59]
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage supported the Israeli strikes, calling them a response to "the total failure of the deal struck a decade ago." He said the Iranian regime is close to developing nuclear weapons and aims to "wipe Israel and its people off the map," asking, "who can blame Israel for trying to stop this?" He added that the Iranian people "deserve better than the current brutal regime," indicating his support for the Iranian opposition.[373]
Speaking on behalf of the Green Party, MP Ellie Chowns expressed alarm at Israel's "targeted assassinations and widespread bombing of Iran" and denounced Israel as "a rogue state operating outside international law". She demanded that the government clarify whether it knew of the attacks in advance, and cease all military support of Israel, while calling for "a multilateral diplomatic process to look to address Iran's growing nuclear threat".[374]
United States: President Donald Trump praised the Israeli strikes as "excellent" and "very successful,"[277] and warned that Iran must "make a deal now" over its nuclear program or face "even more destructive and deadly military action." He said there had already been "great death and destruction" and cautioned that future strikes would be "even more brutal." Trump criticized Iran for refusing multiple chances to reach an agreement, saying he told them to "just do it," but they "just couldn't get it done." He pledged continued military support for Israel, stating, "Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – and they know how to use it."[278] He suggested that the attacks were coordinated with the talks he was conducting: "we gave Iran 60 days to make a deal and today is 61, right?".[279]
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Israel acted independently, stating the U.S. was not involved. He said that Israel informed the U.S. it viewed the attack as an act of self-defense. Rubio warned: "Iran should not target US interests or personnel" and also said the administration was taking all necessary steps and maintaining communication with regional partners.[84][280]
Senator Jim Risch warned Iran not to attack the US, saying: "Iran would be foolish to attack the United States."[375] Senator Jack Reed said: "Israel's alarming decision to launch airstrikes on Iran is a reckless escalation that risks igniting regional violence".[376] Senator Rand Paul urged President Trump not to get involved in any war between other countries.[62]
US representative at the UN McCoy Pitt admitted that the US had had prior knowledge of the attack and had received Israel's justification of "necessary... self-defence", stating that "Every sovereign nation has the right to defend itself, and Israel is no exception".[377]
Following the attack, US forces moved closer to the Middle East.[281]
Uruguay: The Ministry of Foreign Relations expressed concern about the military escalation, which threatens to exacerbate an already delicate regional situation.[378]
Uzbekistan: The Foreign Ministry published a statement expressing "serious concern" about the strikes. It urged all sides to use the utmost caution, stop all military operations right away, and turn to diplomatic and political means of resolution.[379]
Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV urged the countries to engage in discussion and urged Iranian and Israeli authorities to act with "reason." "Great concern" was how he described his monitoring of the situation.[380]
Venezuela: The Venezuelan government strongly condemned the strikes calling it a violation of international law and expressed its backing of its Middle Eastern ally.[citation needed] President Nicolás Maduro has condemned the attacks describing it as a "criminal assault" that "violates international law and the United Nations Charter", he further said "No to war, no to fascism, no to neo-NaziZionism" and accuses France, Germany, Britain and the US of supporting "the 21st-century Hitler" against the "noble and peaceful Iranian people".[381]
Vietnam: Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated that Vietnam is deeply concerned about the attacks and strongly condemns dangerous acts of escalation, the use of force, and violations of international law, the United Nations Charter, and national sovereignty. She noted the need to advocate for the creation of favorable conditions for continued peace talks in order to promote regional and global security, safety, peace, and stability.[382]
Protests
On 14 June, several pro-Palestine demonstrators marched through the streets in London and gathered in Parliament Square waving Palestinian and Iranian flags as well as chanted "stop bombing Iran". Protestors demanded an end of the bombing in Iran and Gaza and urged the government to halt military support to Israel.[383]
Some supporters of Trump in the United States have criticized Trump's support for Israeli strikes against Iran,[62] and the possible involvement of the United States in the war has caused a split in the MAGA movement.[384][385]
Analysis
Iranian preparedness
According to The New York Times, despite having anticipated potential hostilities in the event of stalled nuclear negotiations with the United States, the Iranian leadership fundamentally miscalculated the timing of any such engagement. Officials close to the leadership revealed to the newspaper that Iran had not expected an Israeli offensive prior to the next scheduled round of talks in Oman. Consequently, early warning signs were dismissed as psychological operations aimed at securing diplomatic leverage. Per the newspaper, this misjudgment led to a failure to implement defensive protocols that had been previously discussed. High-ranking military personnel, including senior commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), ignored directives to disperse or shelter, resulting in the deaths of key figures during targeted strikes on military facilities, most notably in Tehran.[237] The Wall Street Journal's editorial board also pointed to Iran underestimating Trump and Netanyahu. The paper's editors said the Iranian regime thought it could continue to play the Americans and "pay no price" for continued stalling.[386]
The extent of Iran's unpreparedness was further demonstrated by widespread gaps in its air defense and intelligence apparatus. Israeli forces executed a complex, multi-domain operation targeting at least 15 locations nationwide, damaging critical radar systems, missile installations, and aboveground components of the Natanz nuclear facility.[237][387] The attack reportedly involved both manned aircraft and covert operatives who had infiltrated Iranian territory and facilitated internal strikes using smuggled drones and munitions. According to The New York Times, the operational reach and success of the Israeli campaign revealed significant vulnerabilities in Iran's national security infrastructure. In the immediate aftermath of the attack, internal communications among Iranian officials expressed alarm and confusion, with particular concern over the apparent absence of functioning air defense during the attack. Iran's missile response was interpreted as a sign of lack of military readiness by the Times.[237]
Hamid Hosseini, a government-linked official in Tehran, said Israel's strike "completely caught the leadership by surprise." He acknowledged it revealed Iran's lack of effective air defenses and inability to stop strikes on critical sites, expressing shock at the depth of Israeli infiltration.[237] According to private messages shared with The New York Times, Iranian officials expressed anger and disbelief over the country's failure to prevent the Israeli strikes, asking, "Where is our air defense?" and "How can Israel come and attack anything it wants... and we are incapable of stopping it?"[237]
Legality
The International Commission of Jurists released a statement saying "Israel's attack on Iran violates international law, threatening peace and security" and calling on "Iran and Israel to comply with their non-proliferation obligations and ensure IAEA's access to all their nuclear facilities".[388]Marko Milanović, Kevin Jon Heller and Sergey Vasiliev, all scholars of international law, have described these attacks as a crime of aggression.[389] The Turkish government also commented that the Israeli action "constitutes a blatant violation of international law".[390] In 2012, there were differing positions regarding a potential attack against Iran over its nuclear programme, which are summarised by law professor Andrew Garwood-Gowers, who concluded that "from an international law standpoint, a unilateral military strike against Iran would be illegal".[391] Writing in the European Journal of International Law, Marko Milanovic, Professor of Public International Law in the UK, stated, "To conclude, even if the broadest possible (legally plausible) understanding of anticipatory self-defence was taken as a correct, Israel's use of force against Iran would be illegal. This is because there is little evidence that Iran has irrevocably committed itself to attacking Israel with a nuclear weapon, once it develops this capability".[392] The Israeli Ambassador to the UN commented that "This was an act of national preservation. It was one we undertook alone, not because we wanted to, but because we were left no other option".[393] The president of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been supportive of talks with the United States to revive the agreement Iran reached with the US and other world powers in 2015.[394]
Further analyses
The Jerusalem Post suggested Iran's possible retaliation could entail proxy attacks, ballistic missiles and drones, naval and "asymmetric" threats, attacks on targets based outside the country, conventional armed forces or diplomatic attacks.[395]
According to Foreign Policy, most of the American-allied countries have failed to recognize the danger posed by the Iranian regime which seeks to "leverage American gullibility and caution to Tehran's advantage". Israel, according to the paper, decided to resolve the Iranian threat, deemed "existential" by Israelis and strike the "head of the snake" and end the Iranian threat.[50]
According to the Atlantic Council's Daniel B. Shapiro, the attacks by Israel laid bare the weakness of Iran in the aftermath of the 7 October attacks, claiming that Israel has achieved full penetration of Iran and has demonstrated capabilities to strike at targets across much of the country. "Iran has never looked weaker, and its ability to respond meaningfully will be tested", he concluded.[397]
Hamish de Bretton-Gordon of The Telegraph described Israel's offensive as a "preemptive, precise, and combined strike" that has "absolutely hammered" Iran and may shatter its nuclear ambitions. He praised the operation's scale and sophistication, calling it "an attack on senior military and political decision-makers" with a level of intensity "not seen in living memory".[398]
Military analyst Richard Kemp argued that Israel "had no choice but to attack," describing Iran as a "desperate" regime that has long pursued nuclear weapons and supported global terrorism. With diplomacy exhausted, Kemp warned that failing to act would have meant allowing "a regime that has repeatedly proven its capacity for unlimited violence" to acquire nuclear arms. He urged continued support for Israel to "finish the job," cautioning that any renewed negotiations would be a mistake, as Iran "would not honour" any deal.[399]
Writing for Al Jazeera English, Imad El-Anis, an international relations expert on the Middle East, pointed to Israel's capability of smuggling drones into Iran and to operate in Iranian airspace signals a marked shift in the balance of power. According to El-Anis, Israel exploitation of these weaknesses is unprecedented in the history of the conflict between the two nations.[400] Al Jazeera's senior political analyst Marwan Bishara argued that Israel was obliterating the recent pragmatic turn in Iran's foreign policy and suggested that Netanyahu had pursued the narrative of Iran as an "existential threat"to Israel since his first cabinet position in the early 1990s.[401]
US diplomat and former Department of State official Thomas M. Countryman called Donald Trump's apparent use of Israeli attacks as a negotiating strategy with Iran "profoundly misguided" and alleged that Netanyahu was hoping for Iran to target American positions in the Middle East and thereby provoke the United States to enter the conflict.[402] According to US nuclear expert Jim Walsh, Israel's attacks could produce the opposite effect to the stated intention in forcing Tehran to pursue nuclear weapons.[403]
In his analysis, Charles Moore, Baron Moore of Etchingham argues that Israel's strikes reflect a hard-learned lesson from the 7 October Hamas attacks: never again be caught off guard. He describes Iran as posing a "targeted, active existential threat" to Israel, unlike the more abstract dangers faced by most nations. Backing Netanyahu's decision, Moore writes that "Israel knew very well how to respond", and suggests that the Prime Minister may be emerging as "their Churchill". While controversial at home, Netanyahu enjoys broad consensus in Israel on the threat posed by Iran, a threat Moore says the West fails to fully grasp.[404]Hamid Gholamzadeh, director of Tehran's Diplo House think tank and Ali Akbar Darani, a researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies in Tehran suggested that Israeli attacks on Iranian energy and other sites have failed to create domestic unrest and the possibility of a regime change and instead united the population even the ones that opposed the ruling government with Darani stating; "I have rarely seen such national unity".[405][406]
On 14 June Muhanad Seloom of the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies suggested that, while "bruised severely", Iran was unwilling to risk a wider conflict with the U.S. and its European allies, saying its limited response to date was "below the threshold" of all-out war and indicated a willingness to reenter nuclear negotiations; he also noted that Israeli airstrikes had not completely destroyed Iranian nuclear facilities.[407] A few days later, National Iranian American Council president Jamal Abdi concurred, noting that, while refraining from striking U.S. forces, Iran has refused to abandon the Non-Proliferation Treaty, evict inspectors, or blockade the Strait of Hormuz.[408]
According to CNN, the Israeli campaign does not have a clear exit strategy.[409]
In an interview with BBC Persian, political analyst Mojtaba Najafi criticized the lack of national unity in the face of external threats. He argued that the Iranian establishment's suppression of public expression had weakened internal cohesion, stating, "One of the reasons Israel dared to attack was Iran's internal problems. ... Unresolved crises and deep anger have distorted the meaning of nationhood in Iran, allowing a foreign force to attack without fear."[410]
↑ "Was Iran really racing for nukes?". The Economist. 13 June 2025. ISSN0013-0613. Retrieved 14 June 2025. Iran fervently denies that it has ever pursued nuclear weapons. That is not true. In the 1980s the Islamic Republic began importing nuclear equipment and material from Pakistan and China. And in the 1990s it approved and allocated funds for a plan to manufacture five nuclear weapons and carry out an underground nuclear test, according to documents acquired by Israel and analysed by experts at Harvard University's Belfer Centre. That decision was approved by a committee that included Ali Shamkhani, who was then the defence minister. ... This formal nuclear weapons programme, Project AMAD, was suspended by the Iranian government in 2003, according to an American "national intelligence estimate" published in 2007.
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