On the night of June 13, Israel launched a vast air operation dubbed Operation Rising Lion, involving some 200 fighter jets, to strike over a hundred major targets: nuclear facilities (including the Natanz site), ballistic missile factories, military and scientific centers in Iran.

The main targets

Objectives and justification

The Iranian response

In retaliation, Iran launched over 100 drones, targeting Israeli territory. The Israeli army claims to have intercepted most of them elpais.com+2aljazeera.com+2washingtonpost.com+2.
Iran promises harsh retaliation, and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warns: “a bitter and painful fate awaits Israel”.

Reactions and consequences

The airspace of Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Israel was closed for security reasons.
World markets reacted immediately:

• Oil (Brent) +8
• Gold up
• Stock markets and futures down
• International calls for restraint: UN, IAEA, Japan, UK, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Oman, New Zealand, etc.
• The United States says it is not involved, calling on Iran not to strike American interests.

The implications

1. Evolution towards a protracted conflict?
   Iranian retaliation could recreate a cycle of strikes/drones and involve the US or allies – the region is now at breaking point.
2. Diplomatic impact
   The nuclear negotiations scheduled to take place in Oman (Muscat) have been cancelled or compromised, undermining attempts at de-escalation.
3. Economic consequences: Focus on a potential rise in energy costs, risks to global transport via the Strait of Hormuz, and increased market volatility.

In conclusion

Israel’s attack on Iran on June 13, 2025 represents a major escalation, with targeted strikes on key nuclear sites and senior Iranian officials, followed by a drone response. The risk of a wider conflict is growing, bringing with it major international and economic tensions. The urgency now is to monitor Iranian countermeasures, the US role in the coming days, and diplomatic attempts to stabilize the situation.

Les principaux bombardements israéliens de la nuit ont eu lieu dans la capitale Téhéran, mais ce n’est pas la seule cible.