Israel's attack on Iran: what we know so far

Firefighters with an aerial truck approaching a building destroyed in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran
Firefighters with an aerial truck approaching a building destroyed in Israeli airstrikes on Tehran

Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a wide-ranging military campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear sites as well as military infrastructure and command. Here is a brief summary of events so far.

Iranian military command decimated

At least 20 top Iranian figures were killed, including:

  • IRGC chief Hossein Salami
  • Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri
  • Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh
  • Top nuclear scientists and advisors

Supreme Leader Khamenei made immediate appointments:

  • Mohammad Pakpour (IRGC)
  • Abdolrahim Mousavi (Armed Forces)
  • Ahmad Vahidi (Revolutionary Guards)

Trump backs strikes, says ‘more brutal’ planned

US President Trump praised the Israeli operation, warning Tehran to negotiate before “it’s too late”:

  • Revealed Iran had ignored a 60-day ultimatum
  • Claimed Iranian hardliners “are all dead now”
  • US Navy destroyers have been repositioned in the Mediterranean
  • Former envoy Brett McGurk called fears of regional war “overheated”

Civilian toll and domestic fallout

Unofficial Iranian reports say 78 killed, 329 injured in Tehran province.

  • Protests erupted across Iran
  • Emergency teams deployed to over 60 locations
  • Internet restrictions imposed; all flights suspended
  • Cultural sites closed and artifacts moved to secure storage

Damage to nuclear and military sites

  • Israel claimed “significant damage” to the Natanz facility
  • Dozens of missile, radar, and drone sites destroyed
  • Mossad reportedly disrupted hundreds of missile launches
  • Iran said Fordow was unharmed; Natanz suffered only surface-level damage
  • IAEA confirmed no radiation leaks and is assessing damage

Iran vows to strike back

Iran says it will respond “decisively and proportionately”:

  • President Pezeshkian promised a “regret-inducing” response
  • IRGC vowed preplanned retaliation
  • FM Araghchi invoked Article 51 of the UN Charter
  • Iran summoned the Swiss envoy (representing US interests), warning against any US military support to Israel
  • Iran warned the US must be held “accountable for enabling the attacks”
  • Iranian lawmakers urged Khamenei to authorize nuclear weapons

Regional and international reactions

  • UN Security Council and IAEA Board to meet urgently
  • EU voiced grave concern, warning of a spiral of violence
  • Russia, China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Italy condemned or urged restraint
  • EU reaffirmed diplomatic efforts to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons
  • Hamas praised Iran’s role; Hezbollah condemned the attack but will not retaliate

Diplomatic flurry

  • Netanyahu has spoken or will speak with leaders of the US, Russia, Britain, France, Germany and India
  • Iran's Araghchi demanded IAEA condemnation
  • Iranian ambassador summoned to Germany’s foreign ministry
  • Italy’s FM Tajani spoke with Araghchi, urging de-escalation and diplomacy

Market and aviation Disruption

  • Oil prices surged 12%, surpassing $77/barrel
  • Wall Street opened lower as investors fled risk
  • Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel closed airspace; over 1,800 flights disrupted
  • Major carriers suspended operations; shipping advisories issued in Hormuz and Red Sea

Israeli emergency measures

  • Israel declared a national emergency
  • All embassies worldwide closed; citizens told to avoid public identification
  • Senior leadership relocated amid threats of retaliation