1. 🔥 Devastating Strike by Israel
Israeli forces launched a large-scale air operation, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, targeting over 200 strategic Iranian sites, including nuclear facilities (like Natanz) and major military installations. At least 78 people, including generals and scientists, were killed.
The attack weakened Iranian leadership, with the deaths of key figures and notable disruptions in the military apparatus. The intensity of the strikes also would have weakened Iran's influence over its regional allies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis.
2. 🚀 Iranian Response
In retaliation, Iran launched a barrage of 150 to 200 ballistic missiles, accompanied by drones, onto Israeli territory—particularly Tel Aviv, the military center, and the air force base. Although the majority of the projectiles were intercepted by the Iron Dome, only a few got through, causing damage and at least three deaths on the Israeli side theguardian.com.
Tehran described this operation as a "declaration of war," promising additional strikes and threats against Western bases if the retaliation continued nypost.com+4lemonde.fr+4fr.wikipedia.org+4.