Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, launched on June 13, targeted Iran’s nuclear sites and military leadership, killing top commanders and at least six nuclear scientists in an effort to halt Tehran’s atomic ambitions.
At a Glance
- Top IRGC figures — Maj. Gens. Hossein Salami, Mohammad Bagheri, Amir Ali Hajizadeh — were reportedly killed
- Six nuclear scientists confirmed dead, including Fereydoon Abbasi, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, and Abdolhamid Minouchehr
- Iran launched ~100 drones and missiles in retaliation; Israel says most were intercepted
- Civilian casualties in Iran exceed 700; Israel reports 24 civilian deaths from Iranian retaliation
- Israel also struck nuclear research facilities in Isfahan, damaging critical centrifuge systems
Generals Taken Out of Play
The operation’s most high-profile casualties included:
- Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, IRGC commander-in-chief
- Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Iran’s Armed Forces chief of staff
- Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of IRGC Aerospace Force
All three were targeted in strikes across Tehran and Qom, according to The Guardian.
Scientists on the Frontline
Six Iranian nuclear experts were killed, including:
- Fereydoon Abbasi – ex-head of the Atomic Energy Organization
- Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi – physicist
- Ahmadreza Zolfaghari – nuclear engineering dean
- Abdolhamid Minouchehr – nuclear physicist
Their deaths mark a significant operational blow to Iran’s atomic program, as reported by AP News.
Watch a report: Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” hits Iran hard
Retaliation and Fallout
Iran responded with approximately 100 drones and missiles. Israeli air defenses intercepted most of these attacks, but Iranian territory suffered heavy strikes, with over 700 civilian casualties and widespread infrastructure damage, according to Reuters.
Strategic Damage to Nuclear Capabilities
Beyond leadership decapitation, the operation struck key sites such as Isfahan’s nuclear facility, reportedly destroying more than 50% of centrifuge infrastructure—a major setback to Iran’s enrichment capacity, as detailed by AP News.
What Happens Next?
The strike has dramatically escalated the Israel–Iran confrontation, complicating diplomatic negotiations and alarming regional powers. With civilian casualties mounting and tensions running high, the risk of further escalation looms.
Israel’s air campaign that successfully targeted both military leaders and nuclear scientists challenges Iran’s nuclear ambitions and reshapes regional deterrence dynamics—but with diplomacy faltering and retaliation ongoing, the long-term consequences remain uncertain.
