In a dramatic escalation with global ramifications, Israel has launched a large-scale military operation against Iran, targeting nuclear facilities, missile production plants, and senior Revolutionary Guard leadership. Branded “Operation Rising Lion,” Israeli officials described the assault as a preemptive move to thwart Tehran from crossing the nuclear threshold, amid fears that Iran was approaching the capability to produce multiple atomic bombs.
Explosions were reported across Iran, including at the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, with Iranian state media confirming the deaths of top military commander Hossein Salami and two senior nuclear scientists in strikes near Tehran. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards acknowledged the loss and declared the strikes as acts of war. Civilian casualties were also reported, including children in a residential district of the capital.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called it a “decisive moment” in the country’s history. “This is a targeted military operation to eliminate the existential Iranian threat,” he said in a video message, vowing the campaign would last “as long as necessary.”
As Iran retaliated by launching nearly 100 drones toward Israel, air defenses went into high alert. Ben Gurion Airport was shut down, and tens of thousands of Israeli soldiers were deployed to border areas amid fears of further escalation. Iranian officials warned that both Israel and its “chief ally,” the United States, would “pay a heavy price.”
The U.S. government, however, distanced itself from the operation. President Donald Trump stated the U.S. was not involved and hoped diplomacy could resume. A planned round of nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran in Oman remains on schedule for Sunday, according to both sides. Nonetheless, the Pentagon confirmed it was preparing for all contingencies, including potential civilian evacuations from the region.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said 200 fighter jets struck 100 high-value targets inside Iran, with Mossad intelligence reportedly guiding coordinated sabotage operations against strategic missile and air defense infrastructure. Israeli officials claimed Tehran was days away from weaponizing enriched uranium.
Despite the aggression, the UN nuclear watchdog reported no rise in radiation levels at Natanz and confirmed Iran’s Bushehr nuclear power plant was not targeted.
Global reactions were swift. Pakistan condemned the attack as “unjustified and illegitimate,” while Jordan and Iraq closed their airspaces to prevent entanglement. The UN Secretary-General urged restraint, warning the Middle East cannot afford deeper conflict.
Markets reacted with alarm. Oil prices surged, stock markets tumbled, and investors fled to gold and the Swiss franc as geopolitical uncertainty mounted.
This conflict, triggered days before scheduled nuclear talks, threatens to plunge the Middle East into broader warfare. As Iran vows revenge and Israel braces for retaliation, the region stands at the edge of a dangerous precipice—with global stakes higher than ever.
