Israel has launched a widescale attack against Iran, killing top military commanders and nuclear scientists, with the country responding by launching 100 drones of their own and promising “bitter” revenge
Israel launched a widescale attack against Iran’s nuclear programme – something that US President Trump said just days ago “could very well happen”, and Iran has called “an act of war” – leaving the Middle East on the brink.
The extensive strikes reportedly killed two top nuclear scientists, and military commanders, with the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic promising swift retribution against Israel. Iran launched 100 drones in response, but Israel has since said these have all been intercepted.
The attack comes as the US government was due to continue negotiations with Iran over its nuclear programme. Since 2019, Iran has been stockpiling enriched uranium that is very close to weapons-grade and has reportedly avoided answering questions about why.
Though they have insisted that their nuclear programme is just for energy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has, for many years, issued warnings that Iran intends to make weapons of mass destruction. Earlier this week the international nuclear watchdog – the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations.
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As international leaders call for de-escalation, including UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, the US has said they were not involved in the operation that targetted Iran’s nuclear programme, ballistic missile factories, and the residences of military commanders. However, they have warned Iran against targetting “US interests or personnel” and said they will back Israel if Iran counter-attacks.
See a full interactive map of Israel’s targets in Iran below, for more information.
Full list of confirmed targets Israel attacked in Iran
The attacks on Iran are ongoing, with locals in Tabriz – a city in Northwest Iran – reporting recent missile strikes in the area mid-morning on June 13.
Read on for a full list of confirmed targets:
- The city of Tabriz, where ongoing attacks have been reported, which is near a nuclear research centre and two military bases.
- The capital, Tehran, and military sites nearby
- The city of Natanz, where explosions occurred at the main uranium enrichment facility, and damage has been confirmed, with the head of Iran’s atomic agency telling state media the nuclear facility has been totally destroyed
- The city of Isfahan, south of Tehran.
- The city of Arak, southwest of Tehran.
- The city of Kermanshah, west of Tehran.
Dangers of attacking a nuclear facility
Netanyahu has said the operation aims to stop Iran from building a nuclear weapon, something he called a “threat to Israel’s very survival”.
However, attacking nuclear facilities comes with very real danger – and these can be unpredictable. From increased radiation levels and leaks, widespread radioactive contamination of the area, and explosions.
The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, has said the watchdog is monitoring the situation closely, “The Agency is in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels. We are also in contact with our inspectors in the country.”
Where are Iran and Israel on the map?
Iran and Israel are both in the Middle East, with Iran also technically part of West Asia. A vast country, Iran – formerly known as Persia – covers 1.648 million square miles and it has a population of 90.61 million, as of 2023.
To the West, Iran borders Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Turkmenistan is to the North-West. To the North-East it borders Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkey, and on its Eastern border is Iraq – where President Trump recently pulled his non-essential diplomatic staff.
To the north, Iran has a coastline in the Caspian Sea, and to the south the Persian Gulf.
Israel is north of Egypt, west of Jordan, and south of Lebanon, and has an eastern coast in the Mediterranean Sea.