Israel’s war with Iran is a chance for Russia, a challenge for Ukraine
13 June 14:50
On the night of June 13, Israel launched a large-scale military operation called ” Rising Lion”. More than 200 Israeli Air Force fighters attacked more than 100 key targets in Iran: nuclear centers, missile bases, and shelters with high-ranking military officers and scientists. Prime Minister Netanyahu said the operation was “very successful.” Iran, in turn, responded no less decisively: a red flag of revenge, a symbol of war, flew over the Jamkaran mosque in Qom. About 800 “Shaheds” and cruise missiles flew into the sky in the direction of Israel.
What is behind the night attack? Is the world ready for a new phase of confrontation between Israel and Iran? Will the war in Ukraine be relegated to the back burner of the US agenda – read in the article of
The scale of destruction
According to Israeli and international media, Israeli fighter jets attacked more than 100 targets across the Islamic Republic, including nuclear facilities in Natanz and Fordow, as well as missile bases in Kermanshah and Khorramabad.
According to information released by the Israeli Defense Forces, the operation destroyed two nuclear reactors, an underground nuclear missile complex, a nuclear technology center, and a scientific laboratory. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also confirmed the strike on the Natanz nuclear facility, saying it was closely monitoring radiation levels in the region.
Tel Aviv notes that Iran has accumulated enough enriched uranium to create several nuclear warheads within a few days, which, according to the Israeli leadership, is an “imminent threat” that had to be countered.
“During the night, more than 200 Israeli Air Force fighters, under the precise guidance of intelligence, struck critical Iranian targets. In particular, the locations of Iran’s senior military leaders,”
– the IDF said in a statement.
According to official Israeli data, the strikes resulted in the deaths of
- chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Mohammad Hossein Baqeri
- commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Hossein Salami;
- commander of the “Hatem al-Anbia” Strategic Command Hatem Ghulam Ali Rashid.
In addition, Iranian media report on the deaths of six leading nuclear scientists, including the President of the Islamic University of Azad – Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, and the former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran – Fereydoun Abbasi Davani.
Against the backdrop of escalation, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew a so-called “doomsday plane” – an air command center designed to act in the event of a nuclear war. According to sources, the plane stayed in the airspace over the Mediterranean Sea for 40 minutes, accompanied by fighter jets, and then disappeared from radar.
In his address to the nation, Netanyahu said that “successes are increasing” and warned citizens that “there are no easy wars.”
“The first strikes were effective, but there is a long way to go – much longer than we are used to. We must be prepared to stay in hiding for a long time,”
– Netanyahu said.
According to Israeli media, the military operation against Iran will last at least two weeks. Citizens of the country are advised to stock up on food, water and personal protective equipment.
Iran raises “red flag of revenge” after Israeli strikes: Qom demands retaliation
Iran symbolically responded to the large-scale Israeli strikes that rocked the country on Friday morning. A red flag was raised over the Jamkaran mosque in Qom, one of the holiest sites of Shiite Islam, which is traditionally a sign of blood vengeance in Iran and a call for a decisive response.
This was reported by Iranian media, as well as the Al Jazeera TV channel. According to the journalists, hundreds of protesters gathered at the mosque, demanding “severe punishment” for Israel. People waved national flags, chanted anti-Israeli slogans, and held placards calling for revenge for the victims.
The protest in Qom, which is located about 140 kilometers south of Tehran, took place against the backdrop of deep shock in Iranian society over the losses the country suffered as a result of the air strikes. Among the dead were high-ranking Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists, and, according to Iranian sources, women and children.
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Israel’s “Web”
The large-scale military operation called “The Rising Lion” was preceded by a secret “deception operation,” CNN reports, citing sources in the Israeli government. Israel deliberately misled the media and think tanks, creating the illusion of a political lull. As a result, the strike came as a complete surprise to Tehran.
“Only a few selected people were involved in the preparations. This allowed us to maintain complete secrecy and achieve the effect of surprise,”
– the official said in a comment to the media.
The Times of Israel reports that the Mossad has set up a hidden drone base directly on the territory of Iran. On the night of the attack, these UAVs were activated to destroy air defense systems and missile launchers aimed at Israel. This gave Israeli pilots complete air superiority.
The Israeli military reports that in recent years it has gathered a significant amount of intelligence indicating that Iran has a specific plan to eliminate the state of Israel.
“Iran is financing terrorists across the region, developing precision missiles and a nuclear program with one goal in mind: the destruction of Israel,”
– the IDF said in a statement.
Israel’s war with Iran is a chance for Russia, a challenge for Ukraine
Military expert, former SBU officer Ivan Stupak analyzed the consequences of Israel’s large-scale air operation against Iran called “The Lion Rising” inan exclusive commentary
“From what I see, there is a risk for Ukraine that we may find ourselves in the background. Because now everyone is talking about Israel and Iran – it’s new, it’s hot. This displaces Ukraine in the media, and there is a certain threat of oblivion,”
– Stupak warns.
But he believes an even more serious risk is the sharp rise in oil prices, which is already affecting the situation at the front:
“The price of a barrel has already risen to $74, and this is just the beginning. And the more expensive oil is, the more money is in the Russian budget. In this sense, Israel’s war with Iran indirectly works against Ukraine, filling the Kremlin’s pockets,”
– explains Ivan Stupak.
The world’s reaction
The United States: knew in advance but did not participate
Iran must conclude a nuclear deal, said Donald Trump, commenting on the escalation. He recalled that he had given Tehran “chance after chance” and warned:
“It’s only going to get worse. The United States produces the most lethal weapons in the world – much of it already in Israel.”
Donald Trump
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that the United States did not participate in the operation and did not provide assistance to Israel. Washington emphasized the priority of the security of its own military in the region and warned Iran against any attacks on American targets.
Israel: “A very successful operation”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the strikes were aimed at Tehran’s military nuclear infrastructure and key Iranian scientists and generals.
“We struck the high command, leading scientists and nuclear facilities,” he said,
– he said.
At the same time, he warned Israelis that the country had entered a protracted confrontation and that residents would have to get used to living in shelters.
Ukraine: “Iran is a source of destabilization”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has expressed concern about the possible destabilization of the region and the potential consequences for global markets, including oil. At the same time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded that Iran supports Russia in its war against Ukraine and supplies weapons to the aggressor country.
Russia: “Categorically unacceptable”
The Russian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned Israel’s actions, calling them a violation of international law and the UN Charter. Moscow said the attack undermines efforts to de-escalate the situation around Iran’s nuclear program. The Kremlin said that President Vladimir Putin receives regular reports on the situation in the Middle East.
The world is closely following the events, fearing a large-scale war in the Middle East with unpredictable consequences for regional and global security.
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