Eelaththu Nilavan | Tehran:
In a dramatic and highly escalated turn of events, Israel has carried out a large-scale air assault on Iranian nuclear and military sites, sparking a dangerous new phase in Middle Eastern tensions. This aggressive action, named Operation Rising Lion, is being described by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “defensive necessity” in response to what he called Iran’s imminent nuclear threat. The operation has already triggered a wave of retaliatory drone strikes by Iran and is reshaping the regional security landscape with global consequences.
■.A Sudden and Strategic Strike
At dawn on June 13, the Israeli Air Force launched a massive aerial campaign deep into Iranian territory, targeting more than 100 locations. These included nuclear enrichment facilities at Natanz, underground military complexes in Khondab, and suspected missile storage sites in Khorramabad. Several airstrikes were reported in Tehran, some hitting residential buildings linked to senior Iranian military officials.
Among those reportedly killed are Major General Hossein Salami, chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and General Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s Armed Forces Chief of Staff. Iranian state media have also reported civilian casualties, including children, though these claims remain unverified.
■.Tehran Burns, Netanyahu Justifies
In a live address, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that Iran posed a “direct threat to Israel’s very survival” and that pre-emptive action was necessary. Israeli military officials claim the strikes targeted facilities directly tied to Iran’s nuclear weapons development program and long-range missile capabilities. Satellite imagery released shortly after the strikes showed heavy damage in multiple areas, with smoke rising from what appeared to be underground bunkers and control facilities.
■.Iran Responds with Drone Swarm
Within hours, Iran launched over 100 drones in a retaliatory wave aimed at Israeli territory. Israeli officials say their Iron Dome and David’s Sling defense systems intercepted nearly all of them. However, missile alerts rang out across parts of southern and central Israel, and citizens were rushed into shelters.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, condemned the strikes and vowed a “severe and overwhelming response.” Iranian state TV broadcast footage of military commanders meeting in underground command bunkers, signaling that further military operations were being planned.
■.State of Emergency Declared in Israel
Israel has declared a state of emergency, halting all civilian flights and deploying air defense units across major cities. Public events, including Tel Aviv’s Pride Parade, were canceled. The Israeli public has been warned to prepare for sustained attacks, including potential ballistic missile threats.
In a coordinated move, Jordan, Iraq, and Iran closed their airspace to civilian flights, citing security concerns. The United States, fearing escalation, began evacuating non-essential diplomatic staff from embassies across the region.
■.Global Reactions and Market Shockwaves
World leaders have called for immediate de-escalation. The United Nations Security Council has scheduled an emergency session, while the European Union has urged both sides to “step back from the brink of war.”
Oil markets have already responded, with prices surging past $100 per barrel as concerns mount over possible disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil supply passes. The global economy, already under strain from supply chain disruptions, is bracing for further shocks.
■.Iran’s Options for Retaliation
While the drone attacks are seen as the opening move, Iran’s broader response is expected to unfold in stages:
︎ Missile Strikes: Iran may soon escalate with medium- and long-range ballistic missile attacks against Israeli cities, military bases, or infrastructure.
︎ Proxy Warfare: Iranian-aligned militias such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq, or the Houthis in Yemen could open new fronts against Israel or U.S. interests in the region.
︎ Cyber Warfare: Iran has invested heavily in cyber capabilities and may attempt to disrupt Israeli infrastructure, government networks, or even Western financial systems.
︎ Naval Confrontation: There are concerns that Iran could retaliate by targeting international shipping lanes, particularly in the Persian Gulf or Red Sea, using fast attack craft or mines.
︎ Diplomatic Pressure: Iran is preparing to file complaints at the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), accusing Israel of violating international law and committing war crimes.
■.The Risk of Wider War
The danger of escalation is immense. Any retaliatory move that causes significant Israeli casualties could provoke a far more extensive Israeli counterattack. The possibility of a full-scale war drawing in Lebanon, Syria, and even the United States is now being openly discussed in defense circles.
The U.S. has already issued stern warnings to Tehran, while also quietly urging Israel to show restraint. Russia and China, long-time allies of Iran, have condemned the Israeli operation and warned of “catastrophic regional destabilization.”
■.A Precarious Future
As night falls on the region, both Iran and Israel are bracing for more violence. Air raid sirens, emergency declarations, and mass evacuations are signs of a Middle East on the edge of a devastating war. The world watches anxiously, hoping diplomacy might still intervene — but as of now, the dogs of war have already been unleashed.
□ Eelaththu Nilavan □
13/06/2025
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Amizhthu’s editorial stance.
