Israel launched a large-scale air strike on Iran, targeting its main underground nuclear facility and killing top military commanders and nuclear scientists. This attack, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion” by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, prompted Iran to launch hundreds of ballistic missiles in retaliation, resulting in explosions across Tehran and other cities. The attack, the largest between the two countries, has raised international concerns, with President Trump suggesting that further conflict could be avoided through renewed nuclear talks. Casualty numbers are high on both sides, and the extent of the damage to Iran’s nuclear program remains unclear.
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Despite President Trump’s assertion that Israeli strikes on Iran are “the greatest thing ever for the market,” stock markets experienced a significant downturn, with major indexes falling approximately 1%, and oil prices surged by about 7%. This market reaction contradicts Trump’s optimistic prediction, which was based on the belief that the strikes would prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Conflicting reports emerged regarding U.S. involvement, with Trump denying prior knowledge while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed the U.S. was informed beforehand.
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Following Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets, including the killing of Iran’s armed forces chief of staff, French President Macron spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and other world leaders, urging restraint and de-escalation to prevent regional instability. Macron affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense while simultaneously calling for all parties to exercise maximum restraint. A planned address on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was cancelled, as France focused on protecting its citizens and interests in the region. These events occurred amidst already strained relations between France and Israel.
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Hezbollah has informed Reuters that it will not retaliate against Israel for recent attacks on Iranian targets. This statement clarifies the group’s position following increased regional tensions. The decision underscores a potential de-escalation strategy, although the overall regional security situation remains volatile. However, Hezbollah’s future actions remain contingent on further developments.
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Following Friday morning’s successful Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, reports emerged of further Israeli action near Fordow. Iranian media documented explosions near Fordow and claimed interception of an Israeli drone. The IDF possesses the technological capacity to inflict significant damage, potentially causing a cave-in at the mountain-based Fordow facility. These events represent a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict surrounding Iran’s nuclear program.
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Following Israel’s preemptive strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and missile capabilities, Iran launched a retaliatory missile barrage toward Israel. Simultaneously, Iranian air defenses were activated, and missile and drone attacks were reported in Tehran. The U.S. military, having deployed assets to the region prior to the Israeli operation, assisted in intercepting Iranian missiles using systems including THAAD and Patriot batteries. Despite U.S. claims of non-involvement in the initial Israeli attacks, President Trump acknowledged U.S. awareness of the plan and expressed satisfaction with Israel’s use of American-made weaponry.
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Following Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian military facilities and reportedly killing civilians, including women and children, Iranian Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi vowed a retaliatory response. Shekarchi declared that both Israel and the United States would “pay dearly” for the attacks, regardless of US denials of involvement. The strikes, described by Israel as preemptive, reportedly killed Major General Hossein Salami, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Iran’s armed forces are reportedly on high alert.
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Following Friday’s large-scale Israeli attack targeting Iranian nuclear facilities and military personnel, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared the action a “declaration of war” in a letter to the UN Security Council. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least six nuclear scientists and several high-ranking military commanders, including the chief of Iran’s armed forces. Furthermore, Iran reported at least 95 injuries, including a senior advisor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Araghchi urged the Security Council to immediately address the situation.
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Early Friday, Israel launched an attack on Tehran, targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, escalating existing tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. The attack follows the IAEA’s censure of Iran for its lack of cooperation with inspectors and Iran’s subsequent announcement of expanding its enrichment capabilities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the attacks would continue, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed Israel’s unilateral action and warned Iran against retaliatory attacks on U.S. interests. The attack caused explosions across Tehran and a spike in oil prices, with both Iran and Israel subsequently closing their airspace.
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Asif William Rahman, a 34-year-old former CIA analyst, received a 37-month prison sentence for violating the Espionage Act. Rahman pleaded guilty to leaking classified documents detailing Israel’s planned retaliatory strikes against Iran following Iranian missile attacks in October 2024. These top-secret materials, obtained and disseminated via photography and printing, were subsequently shared on social media. The leak jeopardized national security by exposing sensitive information regarding Israel’s military operations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker