Israel Launches Major Airstrike on Iran, Targeting Nuclear and Military Sites
On June 19, 2025, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) executed a significant operation, dubbed “Rising Lion,” targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. Deploying 40 fighter jets, including advanced F-35I Adir stealth fighters, Israel dropped over 100 precision-guided munitions on key sites, including the Arak heavy water reactor, a facility linked to plutonium production, and a nuclear weapons development site near Natanz. The strikes, which also hit missile production facilities and air defense systems in Tehran, Isfahan, and Kermanshah, aimed to neutralize Iran’s nuclear ambitions and military capabilities, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin stated the operation sought to “eliminate the existential threat” to Israel. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed the Arak reactor, under construction, was hit but reported no radiological risks. Iran downplayed the damage, claiming no radiation danger. The attack follows heightened tensions after Iran’s alleged nuclear advancements. Retaliatory Iranian missile strikes hit Israel, including a hospital in Beersheba, escalating fears of a broader conflict.