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Live Updates: Israel's Strikes on Iran

Sputnik International

On June 13, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched the large-scale Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iranian military installations and nuclear program sites

2025-06-13T09:31+0000

2025-06-16T14:55+0000

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israel launches, attack on iran, israel defense forces, iranian military installations and nuclear program sites

Damages are seen in a building after an explosion in a residence compound after Israel attacked Iran's capital Tehran, Friday, June 13, 2025. - Sputnik International

Live Updates: Israel's Strikes on Iran

09:31 GMT 13.06.2025 (Updated: 14:55 GMT 16.06.2025)

On June 13, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched the large-scale Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iranian military installations, and nuclear sites.

The Israeli military stated that Iran’s top three military officials were killed in the operation, which targeted Iranian military command centers and nuclear facilities.

According to preliminary reports, Israel struck at least 60 sites across eight provinces in Iran.

Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson Brig. Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi said that Tehran would give a tough response to the Israeli strikes on Iran. The country’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said he had given the armed forces freedom of action to respond to Israeli strikes.

The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) confirmed on Friday that the Natanz uranium enrichment site sustained damage in the Israeli strikes, but reported no radiation leakage.

The UN nuclear watchdog, the IAEA, also confirmed that the Natanz facility was among the targets, adding that no increase in radiation levels was observed. The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, the Isfahan nuclear site, and the Fordow fuel enrichment plant were not affected.

Follow Sputnik's LIVE UPDATES to find out more!

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18:53 GMT 13.06.2025

Iran confirms the destruction of two Israeli F-16 jets and several drones – statement

18:10 GMT 13.06.2025

The IDF has detected missile launches from Iranian territory, and air defense systems have been activated to intercept them.

18:01 GMT 13.06.2025

Israel confirms it has attacked Iranian nuclear facility in the Isfahan area

17:46 GMT 13.06.2025

Khamenei Pledges Harsh Response to Israel

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei - Sputnik International, 1920, 13.06.2025

World

Iran’s Supreme Leader Pledges to ‘Make the Vile Zionist Regime Miserable’ in Wake of Attacks

13 June, 17:38 GMT

17:45 GMT 13.06.2025

Russian President Holds Phone Conversations With Iran's President and Israel's PM

Russian President Vladimir Putin talks by phone - Sputnik International, 1920, 13.06.2025

World

Putin Holds Phone Calls With Iran's President, Israel's Prime Minister - Kremlin

13 June, 17:34 GMT

17:23 GMT 13.06.2025

UN's Guterres, Iran's Top Diplomat Discuss Situation Between Iran, Israel - Spokesperson

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held negotiations on Friday and discussed the situation between Iran and Israel, Associate Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stephanie Tremblay said.

"I can tell you that earlier this morning the Secretary-General spoke to the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They, as you can imagine, discussed the situation created by events unfolding the past few hours. The Secretary-General reiterated the position he expressed publicly … He also expressed that we need to avoid at all costs deadly confrontation that might get out of control," Tremblay told a briefing.

Earlier in the day, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said that Guterres is concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear sites in Iran and urges both sides to show maximum restraint.

On Friday, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, striking Iranian military targets and nuclear facilities. Attacks across Iran - including Tehran - killed high-ranking officials such as Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC commanders, and nuclear scientists. Israeli authorities said the operation was a pre-emptive step. Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei vowed Israel would face a "bitter and terrible fate."

16:52 GMT 13.06.2025

Iran's Capital Targeted in New Wave of Israeli Strikes

Explosions are being heard in various parts of Tehran, a Sputnik correspondent reports.

Also, according to media reports, Israel has carried out strikes on the town of Fardis in Iran's Alborz province.

16:33 GMT 13.06.2025

Death Toll From Israel's Attacks on Iran's East Azerbaijan Province Reaches 18 - Reports

The death toll from the Israeli attacks on Iran's East Azerbaijan province has reached 18, while at least 35 people have been injured, the Fars news agency reported on Friday, citing the emergency authorities of the province.

The Iranian media have also reported that at least 78 people have been killed and another 329 injured as a result of Israel's attacks on the residential areas of Tehran.

16:24 GMT 13.06.2025

Israel Attacks Iran's Nuclear Facility at Fordo - Reports

Israeli conducted attacks near Iran's Fordow nuclear facility on Friday, Iran's Fars news agency reported.

The agency specified that sounds of two explosions were heard in the area.

16:21 GMT 13.06.2025

US Used Talks With Iran To Convince Tehran To Accept Its Demands – Ex-US Diplomat

The United States used talks with Iran to reach its goal and to convince Tehran to accept its demands, former US diplomat Jim Jatras told Sputnik on Friday.

"There are no real talks and never were. They were a sham from the start. Their goal was, most ambitiously, to convince Iran to disarm, so we could destroy it like we did to Libya, after [its late leader Muammar] Gaddafi accepted our demands," Jatras said.

He did not rule out that the US and Israel wanted to lull Iran into a sense of normalcy while preparing the attack.

The former diplomat warned that the scale of Iran’s potential attack is unclear.

"Yes, Iran will respond, but we won't know until it comes how strong it will be or if it will be directed against US regional targets as well," Jatras said.

16:20 GMT 13.06.2025

Turkey Sees Advancing Iran Nuclear Talks as Only Way to Resolve Conflict - Top Diplomat

Turkey considers advancing nuclear negotiations with Iran the only viable way to resolve the conflict, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Friday.

"We must not allow the growing tensions in our region to divert attention from the genocide in Gaza. Advancing the nuclear negotiation process initiated by US President [Donald] Trump is the only way to resolve the conflict stemming from the nuclear dispute. Diplomacy is the only alternative to war," Fidan wrote on X.

The Turkish foreign minister added that the country has adopted the highest level of security measures in response to risks stemming from Israel's attacks on Iran.

"Following Israel's attack on Iran, we discussed the developments in all their aspects with all relevant institutions and provided the necessary assessments. Throughout this process, our institutions have been closely monitoring the situation in coordination with their counterparts. Our country has taken the necessary precautions at the highest level against security risks in our region," Fidan said.

16:16 GMT 13.06.2025

Sounds of Explosions Heard in Several Districts of Tehran

A sound of an explosion was heard in the western part of Tehran on Friday, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

The sound was heard in the Chitgar district of the Iranian capital.

At the same time, the Iranian Mehr news agency reported that an explosion had happened in the area of the city of Pakdasht southeast of Tehran and specified that this was the sound of the operating air defense system. The news agency also reported that another explosion had occurred in the area of Khavar Shahr near Pakdasht.

The Iranian media have also reported that a series of explosions was heard in the outskirts of Tehran: one explosion in Garmdareh northwest of the Iranian capital, two explosions west of Tehran.

16:01 GMT 13.06.2025

Trump Says Not Concerned About Regional War in Middle East After Israel’s Strike – Reports

US President Donald Trump told Reuters on Friday that he is not concerned about a regional war in the Middle East following the Israeli strike on Iran.

Trump expressed his support for Israel following the strike, emphasizing that Iran had 60 days from April 12 to agree to a nuclear deal. He also offered Tehran a second chance to negotiate terms regarding its nuclear program in light of the Israeli attack.

15:58 GMT 13.06.2025

Trump Says Unclear if Iran Still Has Nuclear Program After Israeli Attacks - Reports

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that, after Israel’s strikes on Iran, it remains uncertain whether Tehran still maintains a nuclear program.

Trump told media in a phone interview that while nuclear talks with Iran are still scheduled for Sunday, he’s unsure if they’ll proceed, but emphasized it’s not too late for a deal.

"I tried to save Iran humiliation and death," Trump added.

15:57 GMT 13.06.2025

Israel Knows Iran's Retaliatory Strike Could Be Severe, Braces for It - Netanyahu

Israel understands that Iran's retaliatory strike could be severe and is taking the necessary precautions to minimize its consequences, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday.

"An attack will be launched against us, and it could be very severe. As I said, there will be a price to pay [for Israel's strikes on Iran]. There are no free wars. We are preparing to reduce this price in various ways, which I will not reveal now. The citizens of Israel should not be euphoric," Netanyahu said while addressing the nation.

15:56 GMT 13.06.2025

Operation Against Iran's Nuclear Program Originally Planned for April - Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that he had ordered the Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear program six months ago, and it was to be realized in April, but was then postponed for various reasons.

"I gave the order to the security structures back in November 2024. This order came a short time after the elimination of [Hezbollah Secretary General] Hassan Nasrullah ... I chose the end of April 2025 as the time for action, however, for various reasons we were not able to accomplish this at that time," Netanyahu said.

During the speech, the prime minister held up an A4-size document he called a formal order to dismantle Iran's nuclear program.

15:56 GMT 13.06.2025

Israel to Explain Reasons For Strikes on Iran During UNSC Meeting on Friday - UN Envoy

Israel is planning to explain the reasons behind its latest strikes on Iran on Friday afternoon at the UN Security Council emergency session, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said on Friday.

“I expect the Security Council will meet today. It is not official yet, but we expect it to meet today at 3 pm. And I will explain to the Council why we did what we did. And I expect the Security Council to understand the decision we took,” Danon said at the UN Security Council stakeout for journalists on the latest escalation between Israel and Iran.

The UN Security Council emergency session, requested by Iran, will take place on Friday at 03:00 PM EST (07:00 PM GMT).

15:48 GMT 13.06.2025

Explosion Occurs Northwest of Tehran - Reports

An explosion has just occurred northwest of Tehran, Iran's Nour News agency reported on Friday.

Smoke can be seen in the area of the city of Garmdareh, located northwest of Tehran, the report read.

15:44 GMT 13.06.2025

Israel Does Not Know How Long Operation Against Iran Will Take - Envoy to UN

Israel does not know how long its operation will take but will continue until Iranian threat is eliminated, Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said on Friday.

"We don’t know how long it will take. We prepared the population in Israel to embrace for attack coming from Iran… We are preparing the population for very intense days ahead of us. We will continue to act until we will know that we eliminated the threat," Danon told reporters.

The envoy also claimed that Israel's attack on Iran was caused by Tehran allegedly preparing an invasion of Israel, among other things.

15:40 GMT 13.06.2025

Israeli Envoy to UN Claims Iran Was Preparing Invasion of Israel With Its 'Proxies'

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon claimed on Friday that Iran has been allegedly preparing to invade Israel together with its so-called proxies.

"Israel uncovered clear evidence that the Iranian regime was planning a surprised attack in coordination with their proxies. They had planned to invade from all sides," Danon said at a UN Security Council stakeout for journalists.