June 13, 2025 — In a rapidly escalating conflict, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched a large-scale military operation targeting strategic sites across the Islamic Republic of Iran. The operation, still ongoing, has unfolded in multiple coordinated phases.
Phase One: Sabotage and Deception (Around 3:10 a.m. local time)
The operation began at approximately 3:10 a.m. with covert Mossad operatives reportedly targeting several Iranian air defense batteries and ballistic missile launchers. These early strikes aimed to neutralize long-range air defense systems and delay Iran’s missile response capabilities.
Phase Two: High-Profile Assassinations in Tehran (Around 3:30 a.m.)
Roughly 20 minutes later, at around 3:30 a.m., the Israeli Air Force launched targeted airstrikes in Tehran. Among those reported killed were Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Chief-of-Staff General Hossein Salami and IRGC General Gholam-Ali Rashid, along with two nuclear scientists. Other high-ranking officials may also have been among the casualties, though their identities have not yet been confirmed.
Phase Three: Widespread Aerial Assault (From 4:00 a.m. onward)
By 4:00 a.m., a broad aerial campaign was underway. Israeli fighter jets and drones carried out extensive strikes on key military and infrastructure sites, including the Natanz nuclear facility, the airport in Tabriz, and multiple missile factories and bases across Iran. Israeli drones have since been sighted over Tabriz, suggesting that the operation is continuing to intensify.
As of this writing, the air campaign is still ongoing, and its full scope and long-term consequences remain uncertain. The strikes mark one of the most significant escalations in Israeli-Iranian hostilities in recent years.