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Saturday, Jun 14, 2025
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Israel Launches Military Strikes Against Iran Amid Escalating Tensions
Operation Rising Lion targets Iranian nuclear capabilities and military leadership, drawing international reactions.
Brussels – Israel has escalated tensions in the Middle East by initiating a large-scale military operation against Iran, named Operation Rising Lion.
This operation, announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aims to counter what he describes as an imminent threat posed by Iran's advancing military nuclear program.
Netanyahu stated that the operation would continue "for as many days as necessary."
In the early hours of June 13, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out extensive bombing campaigns across Iran, involving over 200 aircraft targeting approximately one hundred sites.
These included significant nuclear facilities, missile installations, and purported military sites, as well as some residential areas.
The IDF confirmed the elimination of several high-ranking Iranian military officials, including the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and the army chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri, along with multiple scientists involved in uranium enrichment.
In reaction to the Israeli strikes, Iranian leadership has vowed to retaliate with immediate force, deploying at least a hundred drones against Israel.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has announced a stance of severe punishment against what they term an act of aggression.
In anticipation of potential reprisals, Israel's government has advised citizens to remain indoors and stockpile supplies, as air defenses are activated to intercept Iranian drone operations.
International reactions have varied significantly, with some world leaders calling for restraint to prevent further escalation.
Turkey condemned the Israeli military actions, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer characterized the strikes as “concerning.” European Union officials have urged both sides to exercise utmost restraint and avoid retaliation.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of de-escalation and diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions.
Despite calls for restraint, political factions within the EU have expressed more critical views regarding Israel's actions.
Some Italian Members of the European Parliament have suggested the need for Brussels to reconsider its association agreement with Israel and even to suspend military supplies amidst concerns about violations of international law.
The United States has distanced itself from Israel's military actions, with administration officials asserting that the strikes were a unilateral decision by the Israel and reaffirming their priority to protect American forces in the region.
This cautious U.S. response appears to be linked to ongoing discussions about a potential agreement between the Biden administration and Iranian leadership regarding nuclear policy, which have been complicated by these recent developments.
Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasized the need for restraint to avoid a nuclear disaster.
The IAEA has recently expressed concerns regarding Iran's compliance with international nuclear safeguards.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), established in 2015 to regulate Iran's nuclear program, remains a focal point of ongoing diplomatic discussions, despite its collapse in 2018 following U.S. withdrawal from the agreement.
As the situation develops, regional security dynamics remain highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation impacting not only the involved nations but also international relations more broadly.
This operation, announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aims to counter what he describes as an imminent threat posed by Iran's advancing military nuclear program.
Netanyahu stated that the operation would continue "for as many days as necessary."
In the early hours of June 13, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out extensive bombing campaigns across Iran, involving over 200 aircraft targeting approximately one hundred sites.
These included significant nuclear facilities, missile installations, and purported military sites, as well as some residential areas.
The IDF confirmed the elimination of several high-ranking Iranian military officials, including the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and the army chief of staff, Mohammad Bagheri, along with multiple scientists involved in uranium enrichment.
In reaction to the Israeli strikes, Iranian leadership has vowed to retaliate with immediate force, deploying at least a hundred drones against Israel.
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has announced a stance of severe punishment against what they term an act of aggression.
In anticipation of potential reprisals, Israel's government has advised citizens to remain indoors and stockpile supplies, as air defenses are activated to intercept Iranian drone operations.
International reactions have varied significantly, with some world leaders calling for restraint to prevent further escalation.
Turkey condemned the Israeli military actions, while British Prime Minister Keir Starmer characterized the strikes as “concerning.” European Union officials have urged both sides to exercise utmost restraint and avoid retaliation.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of de-escalation and diplomatic efforts to resolve tensions.
Despite calls for restraint, political factions within the EU have expressed more critical views regarding Israel's actions.
Some Italian Members of the European Parliament have suggested the need for Brussels to reconsider its association agreement with Israel and even to suspend military supplies amidst concerns about violations of international law.
The United States has distanced itself from Israel's military actions, with administration officials asserting that the strikes were a unilateral decision by the Israel and reaffirming their priority to protect American forces in the region.
This cautious U.S. response appears to be linked to ongoing discussions about a potential agreement between the Biden administration and Iranian leadership regarding nuclear policy, which have been complicated by these recent developments.
Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), emphasized the need for restraint to avoid a nuclear disaster.
The IAEA has recently expressed concerns regarding Iran's compliance with international nuclear safeguards.
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), established in 2015 to regulate Iran's nuclear program, remains a focal point of ongoing diplomatic discussions, despite its collapse in 2018 following U.S. withdrawal from the agreement.
As the situation develops, regional security dynamics remain highly volatile, with the potential for further escalation impacting not only the involved nations but also international relations more broadly.
