Israel launches “Operation Rising Lion”, strikes Iran’s nuclear and missile sites
STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
JUNE 13 (STC): Israel has carried out what it described as “preemptive strikes” against Iran, and a state of emergency has been declared in the country, according to the media reports quoting Defense Minister Israel Katz.
A New York Times report quoting an anonymous Israeli military official, states that the strikes in Tehran targeted facilities linked to Iran’s nuclear program and its long-range missile capabilities. The official, as quoted in the New York Times report, also noted that Israel was carrying out dozens of strikes across various locations in Iran.
“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 has said in a statement mentioned in media reports.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the airstrikes were aimed at key parts of Iran’s nuclear and military program.
“We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, Iran’s nuclear weaponization program, Iran’s main enrichment facilities, leading nuclear scientists, and ballistic missile programs,” Netanyahu said as mentioned in reports published in media outlets.
PM Netanyahu said in a video message: “Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.”
Israel closed its airspace in anticipation of Iranian retaliation.
Reports quoting Iran’s state news agency IRNA said that multiple explosions were heard across Tehran.
A senior Iranian official said Iranian fighter jets had taken off and that Israeli planes were attacking Iran reports the NYT.
Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard commander, Gen. Hossein Salami, is reportedly feared dead following an Israeli attack, according to Iran’s state television.
Meanwhile, US has denied their involvement in the attack. While the US Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, issued outright support to the Israel’s attack on Iran. US secretary of state Marco Rubio made it clear the US was not involved. He also added that Israel acted on its own.
(STC)
