Iran retaliated to Israeli strikes late Friday night by firing dozens of missiles at Tel Aviv. The reprisal came hours after Tehran vowed harsh retaliation to Israeli strikes against nearly a dozen targets, including nuclear enrichment facilities in Iran.
Reports in the Israeli media suggest that at least 40 people were wounded including two who are said to be in critical state as a result of some Iranian missiles piercing through Israel’s air defence systems.
Earlier in the day, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei in an address to the nation said the “Zionist regime [Israel] made a big mistake, a grave error, and committed a reckless act” by launching ‘Operation Rising Lion’. During the operation, Israel had also targeted the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, besides two prominent Iranian nuclear scientists.
Shortly after Tehran’s retaliation began, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a video statement addressed the Iranian people, saying Tel Aviv’s “fight” is not against them, but against the “murderous Islamic regime.”
LIVE UPDATES | Iran-Israel conflict
8.00 am: Iran launched fresh attacks overnight into Sunday
Latest wave of Iranian attacks began shortly after 11.00 pm Saturday (2000 GMT), when air raid sirens blared in Jerusalem and Haifa, sending around a million people into bomb shelters.
Around 2.30 am local time (2330 GMT Saturday), the Israeli military warned of another incoming missile barrage and urged residents to seek shelter. Explosions echoed through Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as missiles streaked across the skies as interceptor rockets were launched in response. The military lifted its shelter-in-place advisory nearly an hour after issuing the warning.
The ambulance service said at least seven people were killed overnight, including a 10-year-old boy and a woman in her 20s, and more than 140 injured in multiple attacks, according to a Reuters report.
9.30 pm: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will strike every site and target of the Iranian regime
Vowing to continue to strike hard at Iran, Netanyahu in a video message said, “In the near future, you will see Israeli Air Force planes over the skies of Tehran. We will strike every site and every target of the Ayatollahs’ regime.”
He warned what Iran has experienced so far would be nothing in front of what they are going to face in the coming days.
He added that the goal of the Israeli operation is two fold, to foil Iran’s nuclear ambitions and to stop its ballistic missiles programme.
6.00 pm: Israeli military says its air force killed 9 Iranian scientists involved in Tehran’s nuclear weapons programme
The Israeli military Saturday stated that its air force killed nine Iranian scientists involved in Tehran’s nuclear weapons programme, in a series of airstrikes that targeted sensitive sites across Iran.
The strikes, conducted using drones and warplanes, reportedly hit nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan, causing extensive damage.
“All of the eliminated scientists and experts, eliminated based on intelligence, were key factors in the development of Iranian nuclear weapons. Their elimination is a significant blow to the regime’s ability to acquire weapons of mass destruction,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement posted on social media platform X.
🔴 ELIMINATED: 9 senior scientists and experts responsible for advancing the Iranian regime’s nuclear weapons program.
All of the eliminated scientists and experts, eliminated based on intelligence, were key factors in the development of Iranian nuclear weapons.
Their… pic.twitter.com/B33dGTyG1v
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 14, 2025
5.30 pm: India distances itself from SCO statement
India has distanced itself from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) on Israel-Iran conflict and made it clear that it has released its own statement.
“India’s own position on the matter had been articulated by us on 13 June 2025, and remains the same. We urge that channels of dialogue and diplomacy be utilised to work towards de-escalation and it is essential that the international community undertake endeavours in that direction,” said the Ministry of External Affairs in its statement.
“The External Affairs Minister too discussed this matter with his Iranian counterpart yesterday and conveyed the deep concern of the international community at the turn of events. He also urged the avoidance of any escalatory steps and an early return to diplomacy. The overall position of India as stated above was communicated to other SCO members. Keeping that in mind, India did not participate in the discussions on the above-mentioned SCO statement.”
2.30 pm: International Atomic Energy Agency confirms Iran’s nuclear facilities in Esfahan and Natanz were targeted in Israeli airstrikes
In a post Saturday on its official X handle, the UN nuclear watchdog stated: “Esfahan nuclear facilities were targeted several times on June 13. No increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of now. The IAEA remains in close contact with Iran.”
11.30 am: Iran gets new military leadership, Major General Amir Hatami appointed Chief Commander of its army
Following the assassination of top Iranian military leaders in Israel’s strike, Iran’s Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has announced major appointments to restructure the country’s military leadership.
According to Iranian state-run media IRNA, Major General Amir Hatami has been appointed as the Chief Commander of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Hatami previously served as Iran’s Defence Minister from 2013 to 2021.
In his official decree, Khamenei praised Hatami’s “dedication, competence, and experience”, and called for a “transformative and revolutionary approach” under his leadership, IRNA in its report said, according to ANI.
Iran’s Supreme Leader also expressed appreciation for Major General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi for his “sincere and valuable efforts” during his term.
After the assassination of Iran’s former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces (CSAF) General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri “at the hands of the evil Zionist regime”, Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei named Mousavi as his successor.
In a post on X, Khamenei wrote: “In view of the martyrdom of Lieutenant General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri at the hands of the evil Zionist regime, & in light of Major General Sayyid Abdolrahim Mousavi’s meritorious services & valuable experience, I appoint him as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces.”
Similarly, Khamenei made fresh appointments across other branches of the military to replace the top generals killed in the Israeli airstrike, which has been dubbed Operation Rising Lion.
Khamenei appointed Major General Mohammad Pakpour as Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC, following the killing of Lt Gen Hossein Salami by Israel.
10.30 am: Iran says dialogue with US over Tehran’s nuclear programme ‘meaningless’ after Israeli strike
Iran says dialogue with the US over Tehran’s nuclear programme is “meaningless” after Israel’s strike, accusing Washington of supporting the attack.
According to a Reuters report, Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei as saying, “The other side (the US) acted in a way that makes dialogue meaningless. You cannot claim to negotiate and at the same time divide work by allowing the Zionist regime (Israel) to target Iran’s territory.”
9.05 am: Indigo Airlines issues a travel advisory
Indigo Airlines posted on X, “Airspace over Iran and surrounding areas, continue to be unavailable. Certain flight paths may need adjustments, leading to extended travel durations or delays.”
7.00 am: Modi shares India’s concern in a call with Netanyahu
Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a telephone call from Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said. Netanyahu briefed PM Modi on the recent developments and the evolving situation between Israel and Iran.
PM Modi shared India’s concern and emphasised the need for early restoration of peace and stability in the region. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch, the statement added.
5.15 am: Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister condemns Iran’s attack on Israel
In a post on X, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand condemns Iran’s attack on Israel, and “urges restraint on both sides”, adding that “further actions can cause devastating consequences for the broader region”.
“The US-Iran negotiations represent the best path to achieving a lasting and peaceful resolution to Iran’s nuclear program. Diplomatic engagement remains essential to ensuring long-term regional stability and international security.
Iran cannot obtain nuclear weapons. Iran’s continued efforts to pursue nuclear weapons, support for terrorists, and direct attacks on civilian centres embody Iran’s persistent threat to regional stability and to Israel, which has the right to defend itself.
Canadians in the region are encouraged to remain vigilant and to register with the embassy in order to receive timely updates,” she writes.
4.00 am: Iran launches fresh wave of strikes
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) say in post on X that “millions of Israelis are currently running for shelter as sirens sound all over Israel following another missile launch from Iran”.
3.30 am: Iranian air defences fend off projectiles over Tehran
The Associated Press is reporting that Iranian air defence systems are firing at targets across the centre of Tehran.
Air defenses at work in Tehran. pic.twitter.com/3jiIQk5lFd
— IRNA News Agency (@IrnaEnglish) June 13, 2025
3.15 am: Constitutes declaration of war, says Iran’s UN envoy
Addressing the media, Iran’s ambassador to the UN Amir Saeed Iravani says, “The Council addressed Israeli barbaric and criminal attacks against the sovereignty and integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
“During the meeting, I made the following key points clear: we unequivocally and forcefully condemn Israeli unlawful and terrorist military aggression against Iran. Israel, the most lawless and violent regime in the world, committed these barbaric attacks with a full intelligence, operational and political backing of the United States government. This was not self defence, it was pre-meditated, unjustified act of aggression. The targets include peaceful nuclear facilities under the IAEA safeguards, military installations, civilian infrastructure and residential areas.”
Iravani adds, “Iran has also been the victim of systemic assassination of senior officials, scientists and civilians. A campaign of murders that violated the most basic principles of humanity. So far 78 Iranians have been killed and more than 320 injured. The vast majority of them civilians, including women and children.
“Let me be clear. Israel attacked safeguarded nuclear sites. This was a reckless criminal act that could have created a radiological catastrophic … beyond Iran’s border.”
He concludes by saying: “This aggression constitutes a declaration of war. Our response will be lawful, proportionate and determined and it will come at a time of our choosing.”
3.00 am: Will act until threat is eliminated, says Israel’s UN envoy
Addressing the media, Israel’s UN ambassador Danny Danon says, “Last night, the state of Israel launched a pre-emptive operation against Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic infrastructure. Dozens of sites across Iran were struck with precision and many senior terrorists within the IRGC were eliminated. A surprise attack with a nuclear strike which Iran was preparing for would have been terminal. Israel could not and would not wait for that moment to arrive. Decision to act last night was not made lightly.”
Danon adds that Tel Aviv will “continue to act until we will know that we have eliminated the threat”.
2.45 am: UNSC emergency meeting underway
The United Nations Security Council is holding an emergency meeting at Tehran’s request to discuss Israeli strikes on multiple sites in Iran as well as the targeting of top Iranian military commanders and prominent nuclear scientists.
Rafael Grossi, director-general of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) tells UNSC that strikes by Israel led to destruction of the above-ground section of Iran’s main nuclear facility at Natanz in the central Isfahan province.
Iran’s response in the form of ‘Operation True Promise 3’ resulted in explosions over the skies of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Live feed of the Tel Aviv skyline showed smoke rising from parts of the Greater Tel Aviv area shortly after Iran fired a barrage of missiles, most of which are believed to have been intercepted by Israel’s air defence systems.
⚠️RAW FOOTAGE: Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles toward Israel in the past hours.
The IDF cannot, and will not, allow Iran to attack our civilians. pic.twitter.com/IrDK05uErm
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025
Also Read: Anything that weakens Iran’s proxies is a win for India. Even Israel’s Operation Rising Lion