What we know so far about Israeli strikes against Iran

Israel has launched a massive attack on Iran, striking nuclear facilities and key military installations which resulted in the deaths of high-ranking Iranian military officials and prominent nuclear scientists.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was intended to degrade Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and disrupt its ballistic missile capabilities.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed to The Times of Israel that the strikes were part of a broader military campaign, codenamed “Nation of Lions,” targeting Iran’s nuclear program.

FILE PHOTO: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, May 20, 2025. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY./File Photo — Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has promised that Iran will deliver a ‘harsh response’ [Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/WANA via Reuters]

Sites Targeted Across Iran

According to a senior Israeli military source speaking on condition of anonymity, the offensive included five separate waves of airstrikes, comprising hundreds of individual strikes. At least eight sites across Iran were hit, including key strategic locations such as Tehran, the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, and a nuclear research center in Tabriz.

High-Level Iranian Casualties

Iranian state media has confirmed multiple fatalities, including both civilians and senior government and military personnel. Among those killed are Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps; Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces; and nuclear scientists Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoun Abbasi.

FILE PHOTO: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander-in-Chief Major General Hossein Salami, attends a ceremony to mark the third anniversary of the killing of senior Iranian military commander General Qassem Soleimani in a U.S. attack, in Tehran, Iran, January 3, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY/File Photo — IRGC Commander-in-Chief Major-General Hossein Salami was reportedly killed in the attacks [File: Majid Asgaripour/WANA Reuters]

United States Response

The administration of President Donald Trump has moved to distance the United States from the Israeli action. While acknowledging prior knowledge of the operation, Washington emphasized it played no direct role.

Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio said in a statement, “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense.”

The strikes are expected to complicate ongoing U.S. diplomatic efforts to reach a nuclear agreement with Tehran.