#IsraelIranConflict
What just happened (June 13, 2025)
Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion”, a surprise large-scale airstrike using ~200 jets against approximately 100 targets in Iran—including nuclear sites (Natanz, Fordow), missile and radar defenses, and residences of top military & nuclear scientists.
Reported Iranian casualties include top military commanders such as IRGC chief Hossein Salami, Armed Forces head Mohammad Bagheri, Gholam Rashid, and nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi & Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.
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🛡️ Iran’s response
Over 100 drones were launched toward Israel and intercepted by Israeli air defenses.
Iran’s Supreme Leader called it a “declaration of war”, and Iranian officials warned that “the gates of hell will open.”
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🌍 Global & regional fallout
Emergency UN Security Council session has been convened by Iran.
Global markets reacted sharply: crude oil surged ~6–7%, and stock indexes plummeted amid elevated geopolitical risk.
Major global powers—U.S., U.K., EU, China, Russia—have urged calm, while many regional players (Jordan, Saudi, Oman, Turkey) voiced alarm.
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⚠️ Why this is major
This is the largest direct military action between Israel and Iran since the Iran–Iraq Wars and marks a severe escalation beyond longstanding proxy confrontations.
Netanyahu defends the strikes as essential to prevent Iran's imminent nuclear weapons capability.
Iran may escalate via ballistic missiles, more drones, regional proxies (Hezbollah, Houthis), or even hit U.S. assets in the region.
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🔜 What to watch next
Iran's true scale of military retaliation—drone waves, missile launches, proxy attacks, or direct strikes on U.S. bases.
Outcomes of UN and IAEA meetings and prospects for renewed nuclear diplomacy.
Movements in global markets, oil and defence indices, and allied postures, especially U.S. troop deployments to the Gulf.