Israel on high alert after launching preemptive attack on Iran
President Trump had asked Israel to delay the attack on its largest and best-funded rival; Netanyahu claims Iran had enough enriched uranium for nine atomic bombs
People gather for a protest against Israel’s wave of strikes on Iran in central Tehran on June 13, 2025. Israel hit about 100 targets in Iran on June 13, including nuclear facilities and military command centres and killing senior figures including the armed forces chief and top nuclear scientists. Photo by Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
By Louis Keene June 12, 2025
Israel is on high alert Friday morning anticipating retaliation by Iran, after it launched what it called a preemptive attack against its most powerful Middle Eastern rival.
The attacks targeted Iran’s military leadership and top nuclear scientists, IDF officials said. At least four officials were killed in the attack, according to Iran state television, including the second in command to the Ayatollah, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Gen. Hossein Salami.
President Trump had publicly urged Israel to delay any attack on Iran as the United States continued diplomatic efforts. Trump’s top negotiator who is working to strike a nuclear deal with Iran, Steve Witkoff, reportedly warned Senate Republicans last week that an Iranian response to an Israeli strike could result in mass civilian casualties in Israel.
Netanyahu in a 7-minute address to the nation:
— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) June 13, 2025
Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.
"This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." pic.twitter.com/nw3G0uqkp0
The U.S. began to evacuate diplomats and military families this week in anticipation of Iran targeting American interests, according to Axios.
The IDF announced that effective immediately all non-essential in-person educational and workplace gatherings were prohibited in Israel.
Last year, Israel struck military facilities within Iran and Iran responded with a barrage of missiles that Israel mostly shot down with the help of its allies, including the United States.
JTA contributed to this report.
