Iran Launches Over 100 Drones Toward Israel in Retaliation for Strikes, IDF Works to Intercept
June 13, 2025, Tehran/Jerusalem – Iran launched more than 100 drones toward Israel on Friday morning, June 13, 2025, in a retaliatory strike following Israel’s large-scale preemptive airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military targets. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the drone attack and stated that its air defenses are actively working to intercept the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), many of which were identified as Shahed-136 one-way attack drones. The escalation marks a dangerous new chapter in the long-standing tensions between the two nations, raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
Israel’s Preemptive Strikes
The Iranian drone launch came hours after Israel conducted what it described as “Operation Rising Lion,” a series of airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories, and senior military leadership. IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin reported that over 200 Israeli fighter jets dropped more than 330 munitions on over 100 targets across Iran, including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, air defense systems, and radar arrays. The strikes reportedly killed several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and IRGC Aerospace Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, along with six nuclear scientists.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a televised address, stated that the operation aimed to “damage Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, its ballistic missile factories, and military capabilities” to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. He described the strikes as a response to intelligence indicating Iran was “racing toward a nuclear bomb” and posed an “existential threat” to Israel. The Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, reportedly played a key role by smuggling drones and missiles into Iran and activating them during the attack, targeting missile launchers near Tehran.
Iran’s Retaliatory Drone Attack
In response, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israeli territory, with the IDF estimating they could take several hours to reach Israel due to their slow speed. Defrin confirmed that Israel’s multilayered air defense systems, including the Arrow 3 and David’s Sling systems, were deployed to intercept the drones, many of which were shot down outside Israeli airspace. By 8:00 GMT, Israeli media reported that the Home Front Command lifted orders for civilians to stay near shelters, suggesting that most or all of the drones had been neutralized. However, the IDF cautioned that the threat was not entirely over, as additional waves of drones or ballistic missiles could follow.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “severe punishment” for Israel’s actions, stating on social media that the “Zionist regime” would face a “bitter fate.” Iranian state media, including Tasnim News Agency, reported that the drone attack was part of a broader strategy to overwhelm Israel’s air defenses, potentially paving the way for ballistic missile strikes. Posts on X speculated that Iran’s initial drone wave was intended to probe Israel’s air defense positions, though these claims remain unverified.
Regional and International Reactions
The strikes and counterattacks prompted widespread airspace closures across the Middle East, including in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon. Jordan’s state media reported intercepting several Iranian drones in its airspace, while Syrian state media noted that remnants of two Iranian missiles fell in Daraa province without causing damage. Air India Flight AI130 from London to Mumbai was diverted to Vienna due to the closures, highlighting the broader impact on civilian aviation.
The United States distanced itself from Israel’s operation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that the strikes were “unilateral” and that the U.S. was not involved in intelligence sharing or military action. President Donald Trump, in a post on Truth Social, urged Iran to “make a deal” with Israel and the U.S. to avoid further escalation, warning that Israel’s “next planned attacks” would be “even more brutal.” Trump suggested that Iran’s refusal to negotiate a nuclear deal had precipitated the Israeli strikes.
International leaders called for de-escalation. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to show “maximum restraint,” while NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described Israel’s actions as unilateral but maintained that the region was not on the brink of nuclear conflict. Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s strikes as a violation of Iran’s sovereignty, and China called the situation “severe and complex.”
Broader Implications
The rapid cycle of escalation has heightened fears of a full-scale regional war. Analysts note that Israel’s strikes, which targeted Iran’s air defenses and missile production, may have significantly weakened Tehran’s ability to mount a robust counterattack. Matthew Savill, Director of Military Sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, suggested that Israel’s operation aimed not only to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions but also to “cripple any potential military response and destabilize the regime.” However, Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal remains a concern, as these weapons are harder to intercept than drones.
The strikes also disrupted nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S., which were scheduled to resume on June 15, 2025. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported no increase in radiation levels at Natanz, and Iranian authorities confirmed that the Fordow, Isfahan, and Bushehr nuclear sites were unaffected. Nonetheless, the attack on Natanz, Iran’s largest uranium enrichment facility, has raised questions about the future of Iran’s nuclear program.
Current Status
As of late Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel remains on high alert, with its airspace closed, schools shut, and tens of thousands of reserve soldiers mobilized. The IDF continues to monitor for additional Iranian retaliation, while Iranian state media reported a second wave of Israeli strikes near Tabriz airport. The situation remains fluid, with both sides bracing for further developments.
The international community watches closely as the Middle East teeters on the edge of further escalation. With Iran’s military leadership decimated and Israel’s resolve to neutralize Tehran’s nuclear ambitions unwavering, the coming days will be critical in determining whether the region descends into broader conflict or finds a path to de-escalation.