Members of Iran's President Masoud cabinet at an extraordinary session following the Zionist regime’s strikes on Friday morning.
Tehran/Tel Aviv: Iran today launched over 100 drones toward Israel in retaliation for Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, a massive aerial assault that struck Iranian nuclear facilities, missile factories, and military leadership just hours earlier. The Israeli operation, targeting over 100 sites including Tehran’s Natanz uranium enrichment facility, left Iran reeling, with explosions rocking the capital at 4:18 a.m. local time. Iran’s drone counterattack, described by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin as a “different event” requiring patience, saw many drones intercepted by Israeli missile boats, their slow seven-hour journey suggesting a measured initial response as Iran evaluates further action. This escalation has pushed the Middle East to the brink, with both nations trading blows amid fears of a broader conflict.
Casualty figures from the Israeli strikes, as reported by Iranian sources, paint a grim picture. The Iranian news agency Fars, affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, cited unofficial figures of at least 78 people killed and 329 injured across Iran, with a majority in Tehran province. Iranian state-run media later reported a higher toll, claiming 104 deaths and 376 injuries, predominantly in the capital. Among the confirmed casualties were senior military figures, including Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, General Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Major General Gholamali Rashid of the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters. Nuclear scientists Fereydoon Abbasi, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, Abdulhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Seyyed Amirhossein Faqhi, and Motlabizadeh were also killed, alongside Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who succumbed to critical injuries. Local media reported civilian casualties, including women and children, with over 50 injuries in Tehran’s northern Tajrish district, where 35 women and children were treated at Chamran Hospital. The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran claimed no casualties at the Natanz facility itself, where radioactive contamination was contained. However, these figures remain unverified by independent sources, and the chaotic aftermath makes precise counts challenging.
On the Israeli side, no confirmed casualty figures have been reported as of June 13, 2025, following Iran’s drone retaliation. The IDF’s successful interception of many drones, combined with Israel’s state of emergency and airspace closure, suggests minimal immediate impact. Israel’s Home Front Command instructed civilians to stay near shelters, and the quiet streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv reflected a nation bracing for further attacks. The absence of reported casualties may indicate effective defence measures or the limited scope of Iran’s initial response, though the situation remains fluid as Israel anticipates potential escalation.
The Israeli strikes, codenamed Operation Rising Lion, aimed to cripple Iran’s nuclear program and military capabilities, killing key figures and damaging sites like Natanz, Tabriz, and Khorramabad. Members of President Masoud Pezeshkian’s cabinet convened an emergency session on June 13, condemning Israel’s “cowardly crimes” and expressing condolences for the “martyrdom” of commanders, scientists, and civilians. The cabinet reviewed national readiness, ensuring supplies of fuel, medicine, and critical resources. President Pezeshkian, in a fiery message, called the attack a “savage and criminal assault” revealing Israel’s “criminal nature” rooted in “occupation, aggression, and killing children.” He vowed a “wise, strong, and resolute” response, urging Iranians to unite against psychological warfare and assuring uninterrupted daily life. In a separate statement on June 13, Pezeshkian described Israel’s strikes as a blatant violation of international law, emphasising that this aggression would be met with an appropriate response. During a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pezeshkian expressed gratitude for Russia’s solidarity, referencing Israel’s assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in late July 2024 as evidence of Israel’s intent to escalate regional tensions. He reaffirmed the peaceful nature of Iran’s nuclear program, stating that Iran has never sought nuclear weapons and is ready to provide assurances to international authorities. Putin condemned Israel’s attacks, offering condolences for the loss of civilians, scientists, and commanders, and noted that he had expressed his concerns about Israel’s actions to its officials. He called the strikes clear violations of international law and offered Russia’s mediation to de-escalate tensions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a morning address on June 13, declared, “We are after a very successful opening strike. With G-d’s help, we are going to have many more achievements.” In a video on the Israeli government website, he claimed Iran had enriched uranium for nine nuclear bombs, justifying the strikes as a defence against an existential threat. Netanyahu emphasised that Operation Rising Lion would continue “for as many days as it takes,” targeting nuclear enrichment, weaponisation, and ballistic missile programs. The IDF confirmed the elimination of Bagheri, Salami, and Rashid, noting an airstrike on an underground IRGC Aerospace Force meeting killed most of its leadership. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced on June 13 that Netanyahu, beginning the previous night, held conversations with world leaders, including the German Chancellor, the Indian Prime Minister, and the French President. He is scheduled to speak with U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the British Prime Minister. These leaders expressed understanding for Israel’s defence needs against Iran’s “threat of annihilation,” with Netanyahu pledging to maintain contact in the coming days to navigate the crisis.
The conflict’s roots trace to decades of enmity, intensified by Iran’s 1979 revolution and support for anti-Israel proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas. Earlier in 2024, Israel’s bombing of an Iranian consulate in Damascus killed IRGC officials, prompting Iran’s April 13 missile and drone attack, which met with Israel’s restrained response. The June 2025 strikes mark a bold shift, with Israel ignoring global calls for restraint amid stalled U.S.-led nuclear talks. Iran’s uranium enrichment, nearing weapons-grade levels, has heightened tensions. Iran’s weakened proxy network—Hezbollah, Hamas, and militias in Iraq and Yemen—along with the assassination of IRGC commander Ismail Ghaani, limits its regional influence.
Global reactions underscore the stakes. Russia and China called for a U.N. Security Council meeting, labelling the strikes a violation of international law. Saudi Arabia and Gulf states warned of regional instability, while European leaders like British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the European Union’s Kaja Kallas urged de-escalation. The U.S., with President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio denying involvement, pushes for nuclear talks in Oman, now postponed by Iran. Oil prices surged 8%, and airlines like Emirates cancelled flights as Jordan, Iraq, and Iran closed airspace. As Iran weighs further retaliation and Israel vows to persist, the region teeters on the edge of a wider war. In New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today received a phone call from Netanyahu, who provided an update to Modi regarding the latest developments and the changing circumstances between Israel and Iran. Modi expressed India’s concerns and highlighted the importance of promptly restoring peace and stability in the region. The two leaders agreed to keep in communication.
– global bihari bureau
