The Unfolding of Israel’s Surprise Attack on Iran
A series of unprecedented strikes by Israel on Iran marked a significant escalation in the long-standing tensions between the two nations. The operation, known as “Rising Lion,” targeted key sites across Iran, including its nuclear facilities and military installations, as well as residential areas in Tehran. This detailed reconstruction provides an in-depth look at how the attack unfolded, highlighting the strategic objectives, the immediate aftermath, and the broader implications for regional security.
Strategic Objectives of the Operation
The primary goal of the Israeli operation was to disrupt Iran’s nuclear program and eliminate high-ranking military leaders. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), the attacks targeted “dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.” The operation aimed to halt what Israel described as Tehran’s rapid progress in developing nuclear weapons. The strikes were designed to be both wide-ranging and highly targeted, with the intention of crippling Iran’s ability to produce nuclear materials and weakening its military leadership.
Timeline of the Attacks
The attack began shortly before sunrise on Friday morning, with the first reports of explosions in Tehran coming at around 3:30 a.m. local time. Videos geolocated by CNN showed a fire burning across several floors of an apartment block in northern Tehran, as emergency services arrived at the scene. Social media footage also captured damage from a strike on the upscale Chamran Town neighborhood, with an entire wall stripped off one of the buildings.
Further strikes hit the Piranshahr military base in western Iran, some 350 miles away from Tehran. The video showed the dark night sky being lit up by a series of rapid explosions, with smoke rising in the distance. These early strikes set the stage for a larger offensive that would continue throughout the day.
Impact on Nuclear Facilities
One of the primary targets of the operation was Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, located about 150 miles south of Tehran. Social media footage showed a huge fireball rising from the site, and radar imagery from a space imaging company, Umbra, captured damage to several areas of the facility. Other satellite imagery reviewed by CNN showed the same damage in more clarity; black plumes of smoke rising from multiple locations across the site.
Iran’s atomic energy agency claimed that the primary nuclear enrichment facility did not encounter serious damage and that there were no radiation leaks. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that Natanz had been hit and expressed concern over the situation. The IAEA stated that it was in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels in the area but had not observed an increase in radiation.
Targeting Military Leadership
In addition to targeting nuclear facilities, the Israeli operation focused on decapitating Iran’s military leadership. The IDF announced that it had killed three of the most senior men in Iran’s military and its nuclear program. Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was the highest-profile of those killed. In its initial statement, Israel also said it killed Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, and Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, leader of Iran’s emergency command.
These targeted strikes were part of a broader strategy by Israel to weaken Iran’s military capabilities and send a strong message to Tehran. The operation demonstrated Israel’s ability to conduct highly precise attacks on Iranian soil, as seen in previous incidents such as the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in July 2024.
Civilian Casualties and Aftermath
While the focus of the operation was on military and nuclear targets, there were reports of civilian casualties as well. Residents of Tehran later told CNN how they had been woken up by their homes “shaking” from the attack. A 17-year-old Iranian, who asked to remain anonymous, described the experience as “really scary,” with people screaming in the streets.
Aftermath footage showed crowds and emergency workers surrounding collapsed buildings in densely populated areas. The strikes continued through the afternoon, with additional attacks reported in the Kermanshah region, which borders Iraq. Videos published after 6 a.m. showed the aftermath of a strike on a military base and a cargo terminal in the area.
International Reactions
The United States, while not directly involved in the attacks, expressed concern over the escalating tensions. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that the US was “not involved” in Israel’s strikes and that Israel’s actions were “unilateral.” He also warned Iran not to target US interests or personnel.
In response to the Israeli attacks, Iran launched a barrage of missiles toward Israeli territory on Friday evening local time. The IDF stated that it was preparing to intercept over 100 drones launched by Iran. The situation remained tense as the full scope of the attacks became clearer throughout the day.
Political Implications
The attack came amid ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran regarding a new nuclear deal. US President Donald Trump, who had previously withdrawn from the 2015 nuclear agreement, urged Iran’s leaders to agree to a new deal “before there is nothing left” of their country. He emphasized that he had given Iran “chance after chance” to make a deal, warning that “JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”
Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful, aiming to use enriched uranium for civilian purposes such as building a nuclear reactor. However, the country has faced pressure from the international community to limit its uranium enrichment activities. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently stated that “Zero nuclear weapons = we DO have a deal. Zero enrichment = we do NOT have a deal,” outlining Tehran’s red lines in the talks.
