Jerusalem: Several people were killed after the Israeli Air Force launched airstrikes on Iran on Friday, with explosions being heard across Tehran, Iran’s capital. According to Axios, Israeli defense minister Israel Katz declared a special state of emergency in the whole country.
The attack took place in the early hours of morning, when the people of Tehran, woke up to the attack. Israel acknowledged the blast on television. The defense minister announced a statewide shutdown of schools on Friday. There was no immediate reaction to what was struck. Benchmark Brent crude spiked on the attack, rising over 2 per cent.
There was no immediate response from the White House, about the airstrike. Reuters reported that two US officials said there was no US assistance or involvement in the operation. The officials refused to provide any further information about the unprecedented incident.
During the explosions, President Donald Trump was present at the White House, along with the members of Congress. It is not confirmed whether he was aware of the incident, although he kept on shaking hands for several minutes, according to the Associated Press.
All about airstrike
An Israeli military official confirmed that the operation targeted Iranian nuclear sites but did not specify which ones. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant later confirmed the strike but declined to disclose specific targets.
On Thursday, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Board of Governors voted to censure Iran for failing to cooperate with inspectors. In response, Tehran announced it would build a third uranium enrichment facility and begin installing more advanced centrifuges.
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
“Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.
This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.” pic.twitter.com/3c8oF1GCYa
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025
Israel has long vowed to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon, a goal Tehran claims it is not pursuing, though officials in Iran have periodically hinted that they could build one if needed.
Anticipating possible conflict, the United States has changed the deployment of personnel across the region, withdrawing some diplomats from Baghdad and allowing voluntary evacuations for military families in parts of the Middle East.
Several people, including women and children, were killed after Israeli airstrikes hit a residential building in Tehran, according to Iran’s state news agency IRNA.
Former President Donald Trump revealed he had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to delay any strike, hoping diplomacy might still resolve the crisis. “As long as I think there’s a chance for an agreement, I don’t want them going in, I think it would blow it,” Trump told reporters.
Marco Rubio on explosion
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Donald Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interest or personnel.” US State Secretary Marco Rubio.
