Airstrikes and Retaliation: Israel Hits, Iran Fires Back

Israel launched pre-dawn airstrikes across Iran, targeting nuclear sites and military leaders. Iran retaliated with missiles, sparking fears of a wider regional war and global escalation.

Pre-Dawn Strikes Across Iran (June 13): In the early hours of June 13, 2025, Israel launched a massive wave of airstrikes across Iran. Israeli officials said 200 warplanes were involved in “Operation Rising Lion,” targeting multiple sites before dawn¹. The strikes hit Iran’s nuclear facilities (including the sprawling Natanz uranium enrichment site and the Fordow underground site near Qom) as well as ballistic missile production complexes and other military targets. Loud explosions were reported in central Iran around Natanz and Isfahan, on the outskirts of Tehran, and near the holy city of Qom².

Continued Strikes and Second Wave: Through midday and into the evening, Israel continued its offensive. Israeli forces struck additional targets such as missile and drone launch sites and even a second nuclear facility in Isfahan province. Iranian media reported blasts on Tehran’s northern and southern outskirts and at Fordow in the evening, indicating a second wave of Israeli strikes later that day. Throughout the day, Iranian air defences were activated around Tehran and Isfahan as Iran attempted to intercept incoming missiles and aircraft.

Evening Iranian Retaliation: By nightfall on June 13, Iran retaliated with a barrage of missiles. Air-raid sirens rang out across Israeli cities as hundreds of ballistic missiles were launched from Iran toward Israel. Residents of Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other areas took cover as Israel’s multi-tier missile defence systems engaged the incoming fire.