Israel's lightning attack on Iran: nuclear facilities in its sights!

Israel's lightning attack on Iran: nuclear facilities in its sights!

On June 13, 2025, Israel launched a full-scale attack on Iranian cities and nuclear facilities, seen as an offensive measure against the threat of Iran's nuclear program. Defense Minister Israel Katz described this attack as a “pre-emptive strike,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of a “successful opening strike.” Explosions were heard in the Iranian capital Tehran in the early hours of the morning.

The Israeli army confirmed that several waves of attacks were carried out on Iran's nuclear program and military targets. Major General Hossein Salami, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, was killed in the attacks, along with Chief of Staff Mohammed Bagheri and two prominent scientists. The Natanz uranium enrichment facility was among the targets targeted by Israeli forces. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi confirmed that this facility was also affected.

Consequences and reactions

Netanyahu stated that the operation would last as long as necessary to finally eliminate the threat. Reactions from Iranian government authorities followed immediately: Ayatollah Ali Khamenei threatened Israel with retaliation and “severe punishment”. The exact impact of the attacks on the region is still unclear, but media are reporting possible fighting that could last at least two weeks.

Iranian authorities reported that there were numerous fatalities and significant property damage, but exact figures could not be confirmed. The first images showed destroyed house facades in Tehran and rescue workers looking for buried people. The true extent of the attacks and whether other nuclear facilities were affected remains unclear.

Individual conflict courses and the geopolitical situation

The attack on Iran takes place in a context characterized by long-standing tensions in the Middle East. The pressure on Israel has increased in recent years, not least due to the aggressive actions of Hamas, which committed a massacre in the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, leaving around 1,200 dead and numerous hostages. These events, perceived at the time as a pogrom, clung to the collective trauma of Jewish persecution during the Holocaust.

Israeli military responses escalated to destroy Hamas's military capabilities, resulting in approximately 36,000 deaths on the Palestinian side by May 2024. At the same time, the Gaza Strip became a hotspot for humanitarian disasters, with large parts becoming uninhabitable and millions becoming internally displaced.

The “Axis of Resistance,” led by Iran and supported by groups such as Hezbollah, has also carried out coordinated attacks on Israel, further escalating the situation. In April 2024, Iran directly attacked Israel with combat drones and missiles. The geopolitical tensions are therefore both territorial and ethno-national in nature and have historical roots dating back to the 19th century.

The Middle East peace process has been stagnant for years, and serious negotiations have not taken place since 2014. The international community, including the US and EU, is seeking de-escalation and humanitarian improvements, with the situation in the Gaza Strip and the rest of the region remaining critical.

Coverage of current events in Iran and regional tensions will be closely monitored as the situation continues to evolve and could have potential implications throughout the Middle East. For further information on this topic, we refer to oe24 and Spiegel, as well as the analysis of the bpb.