Israel launches 'preemptive strikes' on Iran targeting nuclear program
Editor’s note: This is a breaking story and is being updated.
Israeli forces launched “preemptive strikes” on Iran overnight on June 13, tarting Iran’s nuclear program, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an overnight address.
Netanyahu said in an overnight address that Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion,” which would last for “many days,” marking a drastic escalation in conflict in the Middle East.
“We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program… We targeted Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran’s leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb,” Netanyahu said.
The full extent of the attack was not immediately clear. Multiple explosions were reported in Tehran as videos posted on social media purportedly show fire burning in multiple locations of Tehran.
“Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future” Katz warned in a statement.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who plans to convene a cabinet meeting in response to the strikes, expressed concerns about escalating tensions between Israel and Iran earlier in the day, warning that a “massive conflict” could erupt in the Middle East.
In a statement released by the State Department, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States was not involved in the strikes on Iran.
“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,” Rubio said.
Speaking to reporters at the White House on June 12 ahead of the strikes, Trump warned that an Israeli strike on Iran “could happen” if a nuclear deal is not reached with Iran. Talks between Washington and Tehran were set to resume this weekend on Iran’s nuclear program.
Earlier in the day, Trump emphasized that despite tensions, he is committed to avoiding conflict and prefers a diplomatic solution to Iran’s nuclear aspirations. “I want to have an agreement with Iran,” Trump said, referring to ongoing Iran-US nuclear talks in Oman.
Writing on Truth Social later in the day, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to a “diplomatic resolution to the Iran nuclear issue,” and insisted that his “entire administration has been directed to negotiate with Iran."
Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and has expressed willingness to accept limited restrictions in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.
Coinciding with Trump’s remarks, the International Atomic Energy Agency released a report highlighting Iran’s failure to comply with its obligations to fully disclose activities at its nuclear facilities.
Beyond the Middle East, Iran has emerged as a key ally of Russia in its war against Ukraine, supplying Moscow with drones used in attacks on Ukrainian cities.
In April 2025, Russian President Vladimir Putin ratified a strategic partnership with Iran, vowing to strengthen bilateral ties and pledging not to support any third party engaged in conflict with the other.
The Kyiv IndependentAnna Fratsyvir