Israel Launches Major Strikes Against Iran
A large-scale air assault launched by Israel on June 12 targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities and leadership. This unprecedented attack heightens fears of an all-out war, a scenario dreaded by global leaders since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas.
The Operation’s Goals
The aim of Operation Rising Lion, as it’s known, was to hinder the weaponization of Iran’s nuclear program. It came shortly after a United Nations report revealed significant concerns about Iran’s lack of cooperation with inspectors. Israel views Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat.
Breaking: Israel has launched a massive air campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear program and regime leadership. pic.twitter.com/Kx71R3Tf7c
— World Today News (@worldtodaynews) June 12, 2025
The initial phase involved explosive-laden drones deployed by Israeli intelligence. These targeted Iran’s air defense systems. Subsequently, over 200 Israeli aircraft, including F-35 stealth fighters, struck over 100 military and nuclear sites across Iran. The Middle East has not seen an air campaign of this scale since the Iraq War.
High-Profile Casualties
The strikes have resulted in the deaths of several key Iranian military and intelligence figures. Among those killed were Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the commander-in-chief of the Iranian armed forces, and General Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Also killed were General Gholamali Rashid and General Amir Ali Hajizadeh. According to reports, the plan to eliminate Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was vetoed by President Donald Trump.
“The air campaign is one of the largest in the Middle East since the Iraq War.”
—Source
The escalation has led to a surge in global oil prices. Since the attacks, the price per barrel has increased by nearly 15%, reflecting the market’s fear of supply disruptions (U.S. Energy Information Administration).
Further Details on the Casualties
Also killed were General Gholamali Rashid, General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, General Gholamreza Mehrabi, General Mehdi Rabbani, Brigidier General Mohammad Kazemi, General Davood Sheikhian, General Khosrow Hassani, Fereydoun Abbasi, and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi. Shamkhani‘s condition remains unknown.
Iran has since responded with its own air attacks against Israel, with most of those attacks being intercepted by Israel’s air defenses. World leaders are calling for de-escalation, but the future remains uncertain.
