*What’s Happened Today!🚨
Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion” — a major preemptive air campaign struck deep into Iran early Friday. Targets included key nuclear facilities (Natanz and others), ballistic missile sites, air-defense systems, and the residences of senior military and nuclear scientists.
Casualties: Iran confirms the deaths of several top figures: IRGC Chief Hossein Salami, Armed Forces General Staff head Mohammad Bagheri, large missile force leaders, and at least two prominent nuclear scientists.
Covert operations: Included sabotage of missile launchers and air-defense radars via drones and Mossad agents, weakening Iran’s immediate ability to strike back.
---
🔁 Iran’s Response
Tehran has unleashed over 100 drones toward Israeli territory, many intercepted by Israel's air defenses .
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of a “bitter and painful fate” for Israel, promising a “harsh/powerful response”.
🌍 Broader Context & Diplomatic Fallout
This represents the largest direct military engagement between Israel and Iran since the 1980s, shifting the long-dormant shadow war into full military action.
The strikes risk derailing any remaining prospects for nuclear diplomacy—U.S.–Iran talks scheduled for Oman are now uncertain.
Former U.S. President Trump warned that failure of negotiations could lead to a “massive conflict,” urging Iran to “make a deal before it’s too late”.