“A decisive moment in Israel’s history”: the country is waiting for Iran’s response to strikes on nuclear facilities
13 June 2025 08:40
on June 13, 2025, Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran, attacking the country’s nuclear facilities and missile plants. Tehran has promised retaliation, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing Reuters.
As part of Operation “Rising Lion,” Israel struck key Iranian nuclear facilities, including the main uranium enrichment center in Natanz. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that this is the beginning of a long campaign to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
“We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history,”
– Netanyahu emphasized in a video message. According to him, the operation will last as long as it takes to eliminate the Iranian threat.
Iranian sources report explosions at dozens of sites across the country. The Natanz complex, which is the heart of Iran’s nuclear program, was hit the hardest. Ballistic missile factories and military command centers were also attacked.
The Israeli military claims that it is acting on the basis of new intelligence indicating that Iran is approaching a “point of no return” in the development of nuclear weapons. According to their estimates, Tehran has enough materials to produce 15 nuclear bombs within a few days.
Among the dead are the commander-in-chief of the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, and two prominent nuclear scientists. Iranian media also reported the deaths of children as a result of strikes on residential areas of Tehran.
Israel declared a state of emergency and closed Ben Gurion airport, expecting Iranian retaliation. Tens of thousands of soldiers have been called up, and air defense systems are on high alert.
Iran’s response
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned Israel’s “criminal actions” and promised a “bitter fate” for the aggressor. The Iranian armed forces warned that Israel and its main ally the United States would pay a “heavy price” for the attack.
“The response to Israel’s attack will be tough and decisive,”
– said one Iranian security official, adding that details of Iran’s response were “being discussed at the highest level” when asked if an attack was imminent.
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US reaction
US President Donald Trump said that the United States did not participate in the operation, although Israeli sources hinted at coordination with Washington. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Israel acted unilaterally in self-defense.
US President Donald Trump in an interview with Fox News after the start of Israeli air strikes on Iran said that Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and that the United States hopes to return to the negotiating table.
The White House said that Trump was calling a meeting of the National Security Council on Friday morning.
Despite the escalation, U.S. and Iranian diplomats plan to hold a sixth round of talks on Iran’s nuclear program in Oman this Sunday. US officials say the talks have not been canceled yet.
Market reaction
The attacks caused a sharp drop in Asian stock markets and a jump in oil prices by more than 9%. Investors are buying up “safe assets” such as gold and the Swiss franc.
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