Over 30 Targets & A War Announced: Israel’s Strikes Different From Earlier Iran Attacks | Exclusive

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Last Updated:June 13, 2025, 16:34 IST

Israel expects ‘Operation Rising Lion’ to last for weeks, if not months, depending on the scale of retaliation, according to intelligence sources and the media briefing

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu points to a red line he drew on the graphic of a bomb used to represent Iran's nuclear program at the U.N. Headquarters in New York, September 27, 2012. (REUTERS/File Photo)

Israel’s Operation Rising Lion against Iran is different from its previous operations against Iran, according to intelligence sources who studied the briefing of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

Israel launched a full-scale coordinated attack against Iran at around 0300 hrs on June 13. Multiple waves of airstrikes deep inside Iranian territory targeted military installations, particularly nuclear facilities, and conducted assassination attacks against numerous high-ranking officials and persons of interest. Israel’s intelligence unit Mossad likely established a base for attack drones in the heart of Iran.

ALSO READ | Iran’s Three Most Powerful Men Killed In Israel’s Operation Rising Lion: Who Were They?

Among those killed in the operation were Iran’s highest-ranking military officer Major General Hossein Salami, the head of its elite Revolutionary Guards Corps Mohammad Bagheri, former national security chief Ali Shamkhani and Chief of Emergency Command Gholam-Ali-Rashid.

WHAT MAKES THE ATTACK DIFFERENT

Israel expects ‘Operation Rising Lion’ to last for weeks, if not months, depending on the scale of retaliation. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has so far carried out five waves of strikes in Iran since morning. The IDF statement reported that jets completed the first stage, including strikes on dozens of military targets, notably nuclear targets in various areas of Iran.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu stated the attack will continue as long as necessary.

“It is a declared war against the state of Iran. The IDF has stated its objective is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons capability," they said.

While the IDF emphasised the operation targeted the aggressive regime and its commanders, and not the people of Iran, a large-scale retaliation is expected.

THE NUCLEAR TALK

Mossad separately executed targeted assassinations, according to media reports. The IAEA confirmed it is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran, with the Natanz site among the targets.

The IDF revealed that the Iranian regime was advancing a secret plan to obtain nuclear weapons. As part of this plan, senior nuclear scientists in Iran have been working to secretly develop all components needed for a nuclear weapon.

US SUPPORT

When asked about the US support at the briefing, the IDF deflected, stating they were capable and undertaking operations with their own resources.

The US Secretary of State clarified that the US is not involved in Israel’s unilateral action against Iran, with the top priority being the protection of American forces in the region.