Iran launched 100 drones, situation is "under control"
- Israel launched several air strikes against Iranian territory, in the military operation that began early Friday morning, Lion Rising.
- Israel attacked several points in the Iranian capital, Tehran, as well as military and nuclear infrastructure.
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the strikes by saying that Iran's nuclear program could pose "dangers." He called it a "defining moment in Israel's history."
- The United States confirmed that it did not support Israel in the offensive against Iran and assures that it is an Israeli-solo operation.
- Iran has confirmed that there have been several casualties resulting from the attacks. The commander-in-chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, was killed, as were two nuclear scientists.
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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are currently estimating that Israeli strikes against Iran's nuclear program will last several days.
- Iran is reportedly retaliating against Israel. Jordan has already confirmed that it intercepted Iranian drones and missiles on its territory.
The President of the European Commission has already reacted to the news of the attacks, speaking of a “deeply alarming” situation.
At X, Ursula von der Leyen called on both sides to exercise “maximum restraint, immediately de-escalate and refrain from retaliation”.
The reports emerging from the Middle East are deeply alarming.
Europe urges all parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate immediately and refrain from retaliation.
A diplomatic resolution is now more urgent than ever, for the sake of the region's stability and global…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 13, 2025
The Iranian Foreign Ministry has reacted to the attacks this morning.
“This morning, the occupier and rogue Zionist Regime violated the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of our beloved Iran,” the statement read, confirming the deaths of “the noble and most patriotic servants of the nation,” as well as “other innocent civilians.”
The Ministry also holds the United States of America jointly responsible for the attack. “The acts of aggression by the Zionist regime against Iran could not have been carried out without the coordination and approval of the United States.” And it threatens: “The US government, as the main sponsor of this regime, will also bear responsibility for the dangerous repercussions of the irresponsible actions of the Zionist regime.”
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has already reacted to the attacks this morning, saying that he was informed by the Israeli Prime Minister this morning.
Merz believes that Israel has the right “to defend its existence” and that Iran cannot develop a nuclear bomb. He also called for restraint on both sides.
The Israeli Armed Forces (IDF) have meanwhile confirmed that Iran has sent 100 drones towards the country, but assured that it is “controlling the situation”.
According to the Times of Israel, IDF air force planes are reportedly shooting down the drones.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has already reacted, calling for “restraint” on both sides and stating that diplomatic channels must be activated.
However, Barrot stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself and that Iran's nuclear program has been a concern.
“We reaffirm Israel’s right to defend itself against any attack,” the minister said on X.
— Jean-Noël Barrot (@jnbarrot) June 13, 2025
Israel launched several airstrikes against Iranian territory, a military operation it dubbed Lion Rising . The strikes hit numerous nuclear, military, and residential targets.
International reactions to the attack have already begun to emerge, with a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman saying he was “deeply concerned”. Lin Jian also said he considered the attack to be a “violation” of Iranian sovereignty.
The Times' security editor wrote in X that the UK has no intention of helping Israel defend itself against Iranian retaliation. "UK defence sources say there is no UK plan to help protect Israel," she wrote in X. Officially, London has yet to respond.
Finally, the Israeli foreign minister said he had already spoken with his German and Italian counterparts. “We made this decision at the last possible minute, after all other avenues had been explored to the fullest,” Gideon Sa’aar told the German minister.
This morning's Israeli strikes hit several nuclear, military and residential targets.
According to the New York Times, the Isfahan nuclear power plant, the Parchin military base and dozens of other military targets, as well as residential buildings in Tehran, were hit.
In the Iranian capital, queues are already forming at stores and gas stations.
Authorities in Tehran have so far reported only five deaths, but the number could be higher.
Iran has meanwhile requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, an official at the Iranian mission to the United Nations confirmed to CNN.
The Mossad [Israel's foreign intelligence service] has reportedly set up a drone base with explosives in Tehran, a source told Haaretz.
The base was reportedly set up in secret, after the materials had previously been transported to Iran in a secret operation.
The Iranian Armed Forces guarantee that there are “no limits” in the response they will give to the Israeli attack.
In a statement from the Chief of General Staff, Tehran says the Israeli government has crossed “all red lines”.
Now that the terrorist regime occupying Al-Quds [Jerusalem] has crossed all red lines (…) there are no limits in responding to this crime,” it reads.
The early morning Israeli strikes killed Iran's Chief of General Staff Mohammad Bagheri. His position represented the top military leadership in the country, with the leader controlling the country's army and Revolutionary Guards. In practice, he held the most important position after the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei.
Iran has appointed a new acting chief of staff of the army, Habibollah Sayyari, who will replace Mohammad Bagheri, one of the soldiers killed by Israel in the attack this morning.
The new leader had until now held the position of deputy chief of staff for Army coordination.
Jordan's air force is intercepting Iranian missiles and drones launched against Israel. A military source explained that these interceptions are being carried out based on assessments that indicate the possibility of the missiles and drones falling on Jordanian territory, posing a direct risk to the population, including in residential areas.
Iran's initial response is expected to be the launch of 100 drones. An Israeli military spokesman told Reuters that everything was being done to intercept the attack.
On X, the Iranian military published images of what appear to be the devices launched in retaliation for the early morning attacks.
נתראה ממש בקרוב. pic.twitter.com/AulwaQmnmy
— Iran Military (@IRIran_Military) June 13, 2025
Donald Trump has been briefed on Israel's plans for this morning's attack. The US President spoke to a Fox News reporter shortly after the offensive began. According to Bret Baier, Trump argued that "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb" and said he believed they would return to the negotiating table. The US President also revealed that there are "several people in the leadership of Iran" who "are not coming back".
observador
