In a dramatic escalation of Middle East tensions, Israel launched a large-scale military offensive against Iran in the early hours of June 13, targeting nuclear and military infrastructure.
Here is how events unfolded:
10:00 PM GMT — Israel Launches Strikes
Israel begins a series of sweeping airstrikes against Iran using over 100 aircraft, including F-35 stealth fighters.
Targets include:
Natanz Nuclear Facility (Isfahan Province): A central uranium enrichment site is hit with precision-guided munitions.
Military Bases in Tehran: Strikes target IRGC command centres and residential areas linked to senior commanders.
10:30 PM GMT — High-Profile Casualties Reported
Iranian state media confirms the deaths of major military and scientific figures:
Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of the Armed Forces, Gen. Hossein Salami, Commander of the IRGC, Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, head of the central headquarters of the Iranian military, reportedly killed in a strike on a Tehran compound.
Six senior nuclear scientists, Fereydoon Abbasi, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, Abdolhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Amirhossein Feqhi and Khalil Motalleblizadeh, are killed in attacks near enrichment facilities.
11:00 PM GMT — Iran’s Initial Response
Tehran authorities shut down the city’s main airbase and activate air defences.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei wows retaliation of the military assault.
"With this crime, the Zionist regime has set itself for a bitter and painful fate and it will definitely receive it," Khamenei said in a statement.
A small wave of Iranian drones is launched toward Israel, signaling the beginning of a counterattack.
00:00 AM GMT — Netanyahu’s National Address
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms the strikes in a televised address, calling them a “preemptive strike” against an imminent nuclear threat.
He claims Iran was “months away” from producing a nuclear weapon and pledges the operation will continue “for as long as necessary.”
Israeli army releases intelligence indicating Iran had been enriching uranium to 60 percent since October 2023 and developing key nuclear weapon components.
00:00–01:00 AM GMT — Blasts Across Iran
Multiple explosions are reported across Tehran, with fires seen near Natanz and Khondab heavy water facility.
Some civilian areas sustain damage.
01:00 AM GMT — US, International Reactions
United States: The State Department confirms it was notified in advance but did not participate. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasises the US focus on protecting its troops. Trump says, “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” without endorsing the strikes.
UK Maritime Authority (UKMTO): Warns commercial shipping of elevated risk in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman.
02:00 AM GMT — Iran Signals Escalation
An Iranian military official tells state TV that a “harsh response” involving ballistic missiles is under consideration.
Bases across Iran are placed on high alert. Initial assessments suggest centrifuge operations at Natanz are disrupted, though the full extent of damage is unclear.
03:00 AM GMT — Continued Israeli Operations
Israeli airstrikes resume, hitting additional Iranian missile sites and logistical hubs.
The Israeli forces monitors retaliatory drone movements and prepares missile defence systems.
03:00–06:00 AM GMT — Iranian Drone Retaliation
Iran launches over 100 drones toward Israeli territory.
Many are intercepted mid-air, some detected over Iraq. The extent of any successful drone strikes remains unclear.
04:00 AM GMT — Regional Fallout
The IAEA notes that the strikes come one day after its June 12 censure of Iran for obstructing nuclear inspections.
The US military establishes a rapid response task force in the Middle East to prepare for possible evacuations of personnel.
05:00 AM GMT — Airspace Closed
Airlines cleared out of the airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq and Jordan after Israel launched attacks on targets in Iran.
05:30 AM GMT – IAEA Confirms No Radiation Escape
The IAEA confirms that Natanz and Fordow facilities show “no increase in radiation” and that Bushehr power plant remains unharmed, dispelling fears of a nuclear accident.
06:00 AM - 07:00 GMT – Drone Intercepts
Jordan's military said it intercepted drones and missiles that had violated the kingdom's airspace.
Israel army says destroyed 'dozens' of radars, missile launchers in Iran strikes.
07:00 AM GMT – Iran Says “No Limits” On Retaliation
Iran's armed forces said there were "no limits" on their response to Israel after its deadly strikes.
"Now that the terrorist regime occupying Al-Quds (Jerusalem) has crossed all red lines... (there are) no limits in responding to this crime," the armed forces general staff said in a statement.
07:00 GMT – Oil Prices Soared
Oil prices soared more than 12 percent and stocks sank after Israeli strikes on Iran.
