RED LINES CROSSED

The Israeli Air Force launched a "pre-emptive strike" against Iran on the night of 13 June. Explosions erupted in Tehran and several other cities, including Tabriz, Qasr-e Shirin, and Ahvaz. Prior to this, blasts were also reported at the Natanz nuclear facility, the largest of its kind in Iran, according to the state broadcaster IRIB.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) stated that over one hundred targets within Iranian territory were hit during the overnight assault. The operation reportedly involved 200 fighter jets, which deployed approximately 330 munitions.

According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, as cited by the ISNA news agency, at least 60 locations across ten provinces in the north, west, and southwest of the country—Tehran, East and West Azerbaijan, Isfahan, Ilam, Kermanshah, Markazi, Hamadan, Khuzestan, and Kurdistan—came under attack.

The IDF announced that three senior Iranian military commanders were killed: the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, the Commander of the IRGC, and the head of the Emergency Command. According to the Tasnim and IRNA news agencies, prominent Iranian nuclear scientists were also killed in the strike, including the former head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI) and the president of the Islamic University.

Objectives and reasons

Israel declared that the targets included Iranian military facilities, ballistic missile production sites, and infrastructure associated with the country’s nuclear programme. The IDF further alleged that Tehran possesses sufficient materials to construct 15 nuclear warheads.

Multiple explosions were reported at the strategically significant Natanz facility. However, Tehran informed the IAEA that radiation levels remained within safe limits. According to agency head Rafael Grossi, citing Iranian authorities, the Bushehr nuclear power plant, the Fordow fuel enrichment site, and the Isfahan nuclear complex were not affected.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that one of the operation’s principal targets was indeed the Natanz facility. The bombing occurred shortly after Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian declared that Tehran would continue uranium enrichment regardless of external pressure.

"We will continue on our path. Enrichment will continue and we will not give up on that. Even if they bomb our businesses, the knowledge is in our minds. Whatever they destroy, we will rebuild," he said.

In a related announcement, Behrouz Kamalvandi, a representative of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, stated that Tehran is initiating its third uranium enrichment facility, upgrading equipment, and deploying sixth-generation enrichment centrifuges.

Previously, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency passed a resolution indicating that Iran was not fully compliant with its nuclear obligations.

Tehran’s response

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei vowed "severe punishment" for the Israeli air strikes. In retaliation, Tehran launched over a hundred drones towards Israel.

The Iranian General Staff accused Tel Aviv of violating "all red lines". "Now that the terrorist regime occupying Jerusalem has crossed all red lines, there are no limits left to respond to this crime and the hand of divine retribution will seize the brutal terrorist regime and its supporters," the statement read.

The Iranian government announced the initiation of "necessary defensive, political and legal measures" aimed at making Israel "regret" the attack and ensuring it "remains awake".

The Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran criticised the International Atomic Energy Agency for failing to condemn the Israeli strike, arguing that it thereby became complicit and has lost credibility globally. "This attack is a failure for the IAEA due to the loss and failure of the director general [Rafael Grossi] to fulfil his professional and impartial role, including in ensuring the security of peaceful nuclear facilities under the agency's supervision," the AEOI was quoted as saying by Tasnim.

Iran’s Foreign Minister called for an emergency meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors in response to the Israeli strike. Abbas Araqchi also urged the UN Security Council to strongly denounce Israel and to hold it immediately accountable.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry accused the United States of bearing responsibility for the assault. While US President Donald Trump confirmed that he was aware of Israeli plans, he insisted that the United States was not involved in the operation.

"This aggression would not have been possible without coordination with the US and a green light from its side. The US government, as the main supporter of the Zionist regime, is responsible for the dangerous consequences of the aggression. According to Article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran has the legitimate right to respond to this aggression and the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will defend the country's sovereignty with all its might," Araqchi said.

Echoes of peace

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio affirmed that the US was not involved in Israel’s operation against Iran. He described the IDF’s actions as a "unilateral move" and urged Israel not to target US forces stationed in the region.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Iran to refrain from retaliatory strikes in the wake of the Israeli bombardment. "The EU calls on all parties to show maximum restraint, immediately de-escalate the situation and refrain from retaliatory actions," she stated. A similar appeal was issued by Kai Kallas, head of the EU diplomatic service.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi also appealed for restraint to prevent further escalation. He expressed readiness to travel to Iran at the earliest opportunity to help ensure the safety of its nuclear installations.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz disclosed that Prime Minister Netanyahu informed him by phone about the military operation and its objectives. A subsequent emergency government meeting was convened in Berlin. Merz noted that German security services would enhance protection measures for Jewish and Israeli institutions nationwide.

Meanwhile, Qatar vehemently denounced the Israeli air strikes as a "blatant violation" of Iran’s sovereignty and security. Doha warned that such acts undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the broader Middle East conflict peacefully.

Türkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also strongly condemned the Israeli attacks, stressing the urgent need to halt the aggression: "This attack, which obviously violates international law, is a provocation that serves Israel's strategic policy of destabilising the region. Israel must immediately stop its aggressive actions, which could lead to more conflicts."

Against this backdrop, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte asserted that the world was not on the brink of nuclear war following Israel’s strike: "No, no, we are not there. All NATO countries are already working on de-escalation. This is a unilateral action on the part of Israel," he said.

Warning from the Azerbaijani foreign ministry

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan issued a statement regarding the Israeli-Iranian escalation: "We are deeply concerned about the military operation carried out by the State of Israel on the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Strongly condemning the aggravation of the situation, we call on the parties to resolve their differences through dialogue and diplomatic means in accordance with the norms and principles of international law. We particularly emphasise the importance of ensuring the security of the civilian population and facilities. It is important to continue contacts through diplomatic channels and efforts within the framework of the relevant international mechanisms in order to prevent further escalation of the situation in the Middle East."

The Foreign Ministry also advised Azerbaijani citizens to avoid non-essential travel to Israel and Iran and urged those currently in these countries to exercise maximum caution. In case of emergency, they are advised to contact Azerbaijani embassies or the consulate in Tabriz.

In light of the recent developments and the closure of regional airspace for security reasons, Azerbaijan Airlines cancelled several flights. These include flights to Tel Aviv, Dubai, Tehran, Lahore, Mumbai, and Dammam.

As long as it takes

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Israeli Air Force had struck "the heart" of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme, as well as its ballistic missile infrastructure.

He declared that the military operation, dubbed *Operation Rising Lion*, would persist as long as required: "Iran still has significant capabilities to harm us. The operation will continue for as long as necessary," he emphasised.

Dmitry Gendelman, an adviser to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, told the TASS news agency that Israel is prepared for any scenario, including full-scale war with Iran. "Israel is ready for any development," he said.

When asked about the US President’s warning, Gendelman added: "Israel is in close contact with all of its allies."