Video: The Engel family home in Nir Oz / Credit: Gil Cramer

Ronen, 54, was married to Karina and father to Tom, Mika, and Yuval, and brother of Danny. A photographer, dedicated Magen David Adom volunteer, passionate hiker and off-road cyclist, vintage collector, and above all a true friend, he went out to defend his family when the first terrorist squad broke into their home and engaged them in combat, at the end of which he fell and was abducted.

Ronen was a devoted father to his children, an animal lover, an optimistic person who always looked on the bright side, smiling and cheerful. In recent years he volunteered as an emergency medical responder with MDA alongside his work as a water technician, and in the kibbutz, he was involved in the chicken coop and in renovating and restoring furniture and vintage items.

"We will always remember Ronen as a devoted family man, incorrigible optimist, with a sense of humor and a zest for life and constant smile who made sure to listen and help those around him," Kibbutz Nir Oz announcement stated.

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If it turns out it was simply a deception exercise intended to gather senior Hamas leaders in Doha for a meeting (in this case, a last meeting), this would not be the first time: a similar deception exercise, involving the American president and Israeli media, was conducted before the surprise attack on Iran. There too, it succeeded.

The decision to target Qatar represents a milestone in Israel–US relations, or perhaps Netanyahu–Trump relations, but it also reflects another essential element in the prime minister's war management: over his many years leading the country, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acted moderately and cautiously regarding military force, avoiding breaking enemy balances. Since October 7 that approach has changed. It appears that now no operational plan reaches Netanyahu without his at least serious consideration.

What began as a deep and genuine trust crisis between Netanyahu and the security establishment reversed completely during the long months of war, at least in special operations (the effort to defeat Hamas in Gaza is a different matter).

The strike on Qatari soil likewise expresses Israeli and American frustration with the Gulf state, which mediates in negotiations on one hand but hosts Hamas' foreign leadership with royal honor on the other.

This frustration is also directed at Hamas's foreign leadership, which imposed difficulties on negotiation progress and steadfastly refuses to compromise. Israel has taken responsibility: it struck Hamas leadership in Qatar.

Israel previously eliminated people it negotiated with (Yahyah Sinwar, Ismail Haniyeh), and the sky did not fall. Hamas leaders in Gaza are now more isolated and pressured than ever before, and no one knows for sure how they will respond. Will they execute hostages? Surrender? Or attempt to squeeze Israel to the utmost, this time relying exclusively on Egypt to mediate?

It must be assumed that the Shin Bet – responsible for the intelligence in the operation and whose command center in central Israel ran the operation – seriously considered these questions.

The dynamics in this war are unlike anything else in history, and trying to predict would be pointless. History will judge whether the Qatar operation advances Israel's war goals.

One thing is certain looking back over the past 23 months: When Israel dares, surprises, and strikes with strength – it usually paid off.

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Menachem chose to serve in the same armored battalion as his father, Shlomo Menachem, a Yom Kippur War hero who survived severe injuries and Egyptian captivity. Sharon Menachem, Shoham's cousin, said, "Shoham was determined to join this battalion because of his father's legacy. He was his parents' pride, always eager to serve the nation and help those around him."

The Etzion Youth Village, where Sgt Yuli Faktur studied, mourned his passing: "Yuliy , a graduate from last year, was wise, curious, and compassionate – a soul who gave his life to protect the homeland. May the memory of this hero be blessed." Friends shared their grief, with Marina Nalkenbaum writing, "Yuli, a pure soul! We're shattered by this unbearable loss. May you find peace in a better world." Rachel Barkan added, "Yuliy , a beloved and brilliant boy. I'm in disbelief. May his memory be blessed." Tali Marmur wrote, "Yuliy Faktor , just 19. A week ago, you glowed with joy about your battalion. Now, tragedy has struck your family. A kind, wise soul – forever in our hearts."

Tal Luria, who taught Sgt Shlomo Yakir Shrem for seven years in Efrat, wrote, "Shlomi, my heart breaks. You were kind, diligent, and sweet. I still feel your hug from our chance meeting months ago, both in uniform. You were the best." The Efrat council added, "We mourn the loss of Sergeant Shlomo Yakir Shrem, son of Shaul and Hindi from Harimon, a tank crewman in the 401st Brigade. We stand with his family in their grief and will support them through this painful time."

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The Israelis are all too familiar with the threat posed by rockets and missiles. Years of Katyusha rockets from Lebanon followed by Qassam rockets from the Gaza Strip provided Israel's civilian population with the best possible schooling in how to prepare and protect themselves against these threats, while the State of Israel used this time to develop counter-missile capabilities and other protection measures. Although any full-scale war would clearly introduce a completely new dimension to this type of threat due to the incomprehensibly substantial number of missiles in the enemies' arsenal, mainly Hezbollah, nonetheless, this is still a familiar challenge.

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At the same time, but with much less of a PR hype, in recent years another threat has been gradually developing: unmanned aerial vehicles, usually referred to by their abbreviation as UAVs. Although there were some prior indications as well as a number of operational incidents that were publicized, and the war between Russia and Ukraine also struck a chord on this issue, but it is doubtful whether anybody in Israel – apart from the relevant professionals – is aware of the scope of this issue and the extent of the threat it involves.

This is a threat that is expected to pose a significant challenge to Israel in the future, both during routine and mainly in wartime. It is the result of an Iranian decision to make a dramatic investment in the development and production of UAVs, and their serial distribution, en masse, to a broad variety of key regional players, which have themselves turned to manufacturing UAVs based on the support and knowhow provided by Iran.

In practice, this is such a significant challenge that it has forced the IDF and Israel's defense industries to invest a parallel effort in order to be able to contend with it in a variety of ways – offensively, defensively and in terms of intelligence.

"We were surprised by the speed at which things occurred," says one military source, "In the world of missiles and rockets these processes go on for 30 years. Here, everything developed extremely quickly, including the option of decentralizing the production. Though we did pay attention to it relatively quickly and began to prepare for it accordingly, this is indeed a new and extremely challenging threat."

Simple but efficient

The Iranians' involvement in UAVs is nothing new. It began back in the 90s with an attempt to manufacture initial models with a view to diversifying the force employment capabilities of the various Iranian military units. Until that point, the Iranians had been focusing on the development and production of various types of missiles and rockets to a variety of ranges, including long ranges. Those readers with a sharp memory will probably be able to recall the headlines in Israel regarding the progress in the development of the Shahab missiles and additional platforms, capable of covering the distance between Iran and Israel and of carrying heavy payloads (including a potential future nuclear device).

The Iranians came to understand that unmanned aerial vehicles provide them with additional capabilities. In contrast to missiles, which fly openly and it is clear to see from where they were launched and where they are due to impact, a UAV flies at low altitude, slowly and with stealth, and can be operated for special, low-signature missions – from intelligence collection, attacking targets by dropping munitions, to suicide missions (often referred to as 'kamikaze" missions).

The manufacturing of UAVs is also much simpler than that of long-range missiles. An SSM (Surface-to-Surface Missile) exits the earth's atmosphere and must then reenter, and is subject to immense loads and structural pressures," explains Captain L., the officer in charge of UAV research at the Enemy Firepower Capabilities Technological Research Branch in the Research & Analysis Division at IDF Military Intelligence. A UAV flies in the atmosphere, it is based on a simple piston engine, and is much easier to manufacture."

From the very outset, Iran opted for a unique method to gain progress in its UAV program. In contrast to Israel or the USA, which develop their own systems, the Iranians based their effort on the 'catch-up' approach: using others in order to bridge the technological gap. They achieved this mainly by reverse engineering of US and Israeli UAVs that either fell or were downed during various missions in the region. Any such vehicle (or even its fragments) was delivered to Iran, analyzed down to the minutest detail by local experts, and then copied perfectly. This saved the Iranians many long years of research and testing during the production process, allowing them to rapidly progress to the stage of serial production of a variety of different types of UAVs for a whole spectrum of ranges.

"All the Iranian platforms are based on a prototype that came from somewhere else," states Captain L., "The Shahed-136, which is currently in the headlines due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, is based on an Israeli UAV manufactured by Elbit. Its brothers in this series, the Shahed-141 and Shahed-197, are based on the US-made RQ-170 UAV."

Until the last decade, Iran made only relatively slow progress with its UAVs. Though it did succeed in recording certain successes, it only managed to attain capabilities that were extremely far away from what it really wanted. The dramatic technological changes undergone by the civilian world enabled it to bridge the gaps with lightning speed. Components, which until then had been developed in secret laboratories and were the property of a very limited group of technological superpowers, suddenly became widely available and could be purchased 'off the shelf' from civilian sites – from onboard computers and communication sets to navigation devices and even encryption devices.

However, over the last decade, Iran was subject to heavy international sanctions, making the task of procurement an extremely difficult one. To circumvent this obstacle, it established a series of companies and entities specializing in the procurement of various components and their shipment to Iran. Once they arrive in Iran, these components are assimilated in the various UAV programs, and above all they enable the Iranians to engage in the serial manufacture of large volumes of UAVs.

"The Iranians' ability to purchase commercially available off-the-shelf products (known as COTS) and to then integrate them in these systems was simply not an option 15 years ago," recounts a military source who specializes in this field. "This enabled them to make a highly significant leap forward that we have witnessed in recent years."

Bundles of cash mixed with diplomacy

This progress was also possible due to an additional Iranian advantage: friction. Similar to Israel, it is also in a constant state of friction with its enemies in various theaters. Some of this, mainly in the Persian Gulf, is the direct result of its actions, and some – in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen – via proxy, forces operating on Tehran's behalf and under its guidance and instruction. This enabled Iran to gain constant experience with the various systems it developed, to learn lessons, and implement them quickly in the development and production processes.

The technological progress and the experience accumulated also enabled it to share some of the production processes with the proxies themselves. The savings are clear: not only the proliferation of military capabilities and a significant increase of the production floor space but also the change to open up the highly challenging bottleneck of shipping arms to the various operational theaters. This is especially prominent in the northern theater, where Israel has been engaged in a permanent campaign against the Iranian arms shipments (some of which have been recently exposed here in Israel Hayom).

Over the last decade, Israel has carried out thousands of strikes and other actions designed to disrupt these Iranian efforts to smuggle a variety of weapon systems and technological capabilities – from missiles and rockets to a variety of UAVs – and one of the methods that the Iranians came across in order to overcome the intensive Israeli effort was to transfer the manufacturing capabilities to their proxies – the Houthis in Yemen, the Shi'ite militias in Iraq and Syria, and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Although this process transformed the consumer into a manufacturer itself, it enabled the Iranians to become a key player in this field – and not only in relation to its own protégés. Iran has become a super-distributor of these advanced capabilities to a variety of countries, including superpowers. Russia is clearly the prime example of this, a global military superpower forced to seek aid from Iran in order to gain access to UAV-related capabilities. This began with procurement and has now moved on to the production process actually taking place on Russian soil. The Shahed-136, which due to the war in Ukraine has arguably become the best-known and most talked-about UAV in the world, has now been afforded the Russian title Geran (an abbreviation of the Russian name of the flower we know as a geranium).

In parallel, the Russians also operate other Iranian UAVs in Ukraine, such as the Shahed-131 and the Mohajer-6. To date, Russia has acquired some 1000 UAVs at an average price of 40 thousand dollars per unit, and in the future, it plans to produce thousands of UAVs in Russia, an issue of grave concern to the West and also to Israel, as this will be a solid connection between the global antagonist (Russia) and the regional antagonist (Iran).

Iran is also engaged in a similar process with China. Here too, a superpower was found to be lacking in this field and thus approached a much smaller and weaker nation than it to bridge the gaps. In the case of the Chinese, the Shahed-136 has been renamed, also after a flower, the Sunflower-200, and it too is due to begin serial production in China.

In both cases, with Russia and China, the Iranians are exploiting the process, not only to pump large volumes of cash into their dwindling coffers following many years of biting economic sanctions but also for a dangerous foray into the world of military and global diplomacy – increased proximity between the states and gaining support from Russia and China to obtain knowhow and various means, which until now had been well outside their reach.

A national-military project

Over the course of the last decade, the Iranian UAV industry has become a recognized global brand name, mainly due to the use to which the Russians have put the Iranian UAVs during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Iran, however, began to put the systems it has developed to use – either directly or via its proxy forces – many years previously. Even, during the Second Lebanon War way back in 2006, Iranian Ababil UAVs were operated by Hezbollah in their efforts to attack Israel. They were either intercepted by the IAF or crashed without succeeding in causing any damage or inflicting any casualties.

Later on, Hezbollah made a number of additional attempts to infiltrate various airborne vehicles into Israel – from UAVs to drones, another field in which a dramatic quantum leap has occurred in recent years in the civilian sector, enabling Iran to make significant progress in terms of the development and production of its military capabilities.

The Iranian UAV industry operates via two main channels in parallel: one takes place under the Iranian ministry of defense, or as it is officially known, the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), and the second one under the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Within the MODAFL, there are two key industries engaged in UAV production. The first is called HESA, which was founded in 1976 and is located in Isfahan. Initially, this company was involved in the manufacture of light aircraft, but today it is also engaged in the development and manufacture of UAVs, mainly the Ababil variants, which serve the Iranian air force and also some of its proxies – from the Houthis in Yemen to Hezbollah in Lebanon. The two main variants, Ababil-2 and Ababil-3, are UAVs with a range of 100 km that are able to collect intelligence, attack targets and detonate themselves.

The other industry is called Qods. This industry was established in 1985, it employs hundreds of workers and is subject to US Department of the Treasury sanctions. Its flagship is the Mohajer. Mohajer-6 is an ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition & Reconnaissance) UAV with a range of thousands of kilometers and the ability to carry 4-6 guided munitions, and the Mohajer-10, which was exposed only two weeks ago, according to reports in Iran has a range of 2000 km and is capable of carrying a payload of up to 300 kg.

The other channel, run by the IRGC, is also in possession of two parallel industrial concerns. The first one is called KIPAS and is highly confidential. This industry operates under the auspices of the IRGC Qods Force, a special unit tasked with spreading the Islamic revolution outside Iran and which, among others, is responsible for leading the war against Israel.

The other industry is the Shahed Aviation Industries which was originally intended to provide the IRGC Aerospace Force with independent UAV production and operational capabilities, without the need to depend on the MODAFL or the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (Iran's regular air force). This was carried out as part of the process to gain power, led by the IRGC Aerospace Force Commander, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, who following the targeting of Qassem Soleimani, became the dominant figure in the IRGC in addition to becoming the bitterest and most dangerous enemy to Israel, the moderate Sunni Arab states and the West.

Shahed manufactures a broad variety of UAVs, all of which are marketed under the same name (though the model number varies). The Shahed-197 is a UAV with a 7-meter wingspan, a flight range of thousands of kilometers and a cruising speed of 200 km/h, which is capable of remaining airborne without interruption for 20 hours. The Shahed-141 is a kamikaze UAV that can be also used for transferring arms, it has a flight range of 1800 kilometers at a flight speed of 185 km/h. The Shahed-101 is a kamikaze UAV that can also be used for intelligence-gathering purposes, it weighs 10 kg and has a flight range of 700 km.

The company's flagship product is the Shahed-136. This is a suicide attack UAV with a range of 2000-2200 km, which flies at altitude and at a relatively low speed of 185 km/h, which makes it more difficult to detect and intercept. As a result of the use of the Shahed-136 in the war in Ukraine, the USA, Canada, and the EU imposed sanctions on the Shahed Aviation Industries; although, the deals concluded with Russia (and now with China) for procurement of the system, and later on for its independent production, have enabled the Shahed Aviation Industries to continue to prosper.

Sanctions circumventing UAVs

We can roughly split up the production processes as follows: the Iranians cast the wings by themselves in Iran into casts that Iran builds and then later dries and bakes, or in the country in which the UAV is manufactured (Yemen, Lebanon or in the near future in Russia); it purchases the engine (usually Chinese piston engines); the warhead is cast in Iran; and the technology it buys on the civilian market. The warheads vary according to the mission and fragmentation is often added to them in order to increase lethality and the extent of the damage.

The Russians, for example, have mainly been using 50 kg warheads in their combat in Ukraine. They purchase the UAVs in Iran and ship them to Russia mainly by air and recently by ship too across the Caspian Sea, and they pay Iran for them either in hard cash or in gold bullion in order to circumvent the sanctions.

This growing cooperation between the two states is a cause of serious concern to Israel, also as the Iranians are exploiting it to move ahead in a number of different areas – information on various fields, including the development and manufacture of hypersonic missiles and satellite launch vehicles, as well as promoting transactions (including Su-35 fighter aircraft) and culminating in intelligence and operational cooperation. According to the source, "They are trying to squeeze the lemon dry."

The first two industries, which operate under the MODAFL, focus on the domestic needs of Iran itself: they are the main suppliers of UAVs to the Iranian army, with the main objective being the defense of Iran's sovereign territory. In contrast, the two industries operating under the IRGC focus their efforts on foreign objectives: either by direct operation or via Tehran's various proxies.

The IRGC's need for instant solutions for its needs in the field is sufficient to prod the industries under its command to work at a much more rapid pace and produce results in relatively short time periods, while the industries working under the MODAFL tend to engage in more long-term projects. Just to what extent these industries share knowledge and capabilities is not fully clear, but they do share at least one common objective beyond the interests of the Islamic state itself: both of them are working full steam ahead to sell their UAVs anywhere possible around the world, both to inject cash into the system and also to increase their influence. All four of these industries are subject to a variety of different sanctions. Some of them entered the list as they were involved in attacking various elements in the region, while others have been sanctioned due to their involvement in the war in Ukraine. Though these sanctions do make the procurement processes more difficult for the Iranians, the large scale development of this field in Iran – and the growing demand for UAVs of Iranian manufacture – underscore the fact that the sanctions' effectiveness is extremely limited, especially when Russia and China top the customer list.

"As, for the most part, these are civilian components that can readily be purchased on the open market, the Iranians have little difficulty in overcoming the sanctions," says the military official. "Even if any specific procurement channel is blocked, they immediately find an alternative one."

Israel in the crosshairs

Over the years, Iran has considerably increased its use of UAVs in all theaters where it operates. The most intensive use of this type of weapon system – which in itself is perhaps the most effective test site for the Iranians – has been made by the Houthis in Yemen. Hundreds of aircraft were operated against a variety of targets, including the methodical attacking of Saudi targets, even in the capital Riyadh.

In the past, Iran itself tried to avoid the direct use of UAVs that it manufactured in order not to get involved in direct conflicts, leaving its proxies to fight with Saudi Arabia, Israel and even the USA. This Iranian hydra-like method of force employment – whose aim is to constantly challenge its adversaries while leaving Iran itself safe and off the battlefield – is all too well known, and provides its enemies, above all Israel, with a permanent predicament and a dilemma of whether to make do with an ongoing, bloody conflict with the proxies or to cause Iran to pay a heavy price itself, on its own soil.

This dilemma will probably be seriously intensified in a large-scale war such as any future Third Lebanon War, when Israel will have to deliberate the option of exercising its deterrence by striking at Iran and the concern that such a move might well draw Tehran directly into the fighting.

In recent years, Iran has begun to release some of these shackles, starting to operate UAVs also directly for its diverse objectives. The first such operational use against Israel was on February 10, 2018, when a Shahed-141 UAV was launched from the Syrian air force base of T4 towards Israel, in response to Israeli strikes on Iranian targets in Syria. Israel monitored the UAV throughout its flight and an IAF Apache combat helicopter intercepted it near the town of Beit She'an.

On September 14, 2019, Iran conducted its most famous and effective attack to date, when it launched dozens of UAVs and cruise missiles at the facilities of the Saudi Arabian national oil company, Aramco. This surprise attack caused significant damage to Saudi Arabia's oil production capability, sending shock waves across the region, mainly due to the American decision not to take action in defense of Saudi Arabia in the form of any offensive retaliation against Iran. The lessons of this incident are still echoing to this very day and form the basis, to some extent, of Saudi Arabia's lack of trust in the USA, and the extensive Saudi demands for various types of weapon systems (including unmanned systems) to enable them to defend themselves in the future.

On the verge of the threshold of escalation

The incessant hits that it suffered from the IAF strikes in Syria led Iran to look for a new medium via which it would be able to exact revenge on Israel. As part of this, commencing two years ago, a wave of attacks began in the Persian Gulf against ships, either wholly or partially owned by Israeli businessmen, but which sail under foreign flags and with foreign crews.

On March 25, 2021, Iranian UAVs hit the Lori, a partially Israeli-owned container ship that was sailing in the Arabian Sea. On April 13, 2021, a UAV hit an additional vessel under partial Israeli ownership, the Hyperion Ray, and on July 3, 2021, a third attempt was carried out, also against a ship with Israeli owners, the CSAV Tyndall.

The fourth attack in the series occurred on July 29, 2021. A Shahed-136 UAV hit a ship called the Mercer Street, killing a British and Romanian national. Britain was outraged and a severe diplomatic crisis ensued between the two states, following which the IRGC – apparently under the orders of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei – ceased its attacks on shipping in the Gulf region. The Iranians, who sought to remove the sanctions imposed on them due to their nuclear program, feared the intensity of the conflict with the West and thus decided to calm things down in this particular area.

But the Iranians did remain active in another theater of course – the fight against Israel. On March 15, 2021, two Shahed-197 UAVs launched from Iran to Israel were intercepted. This was the first operational interception by an IAF F-35I Adir stealth combat aircraft, and it was kept under wraps for a year until it was allowed to be made public. In another case, on April 2 this year, a Shahed-101 UAV was intercepted after crossing the border from Syria into Israel. This particular UAV was downed using electronic jamming and it crashed in the southern Golan Heights near the Sea of Galilee.

As the Iranian industries operate separately, there are a considerable number of figures involved in the development and production processes, and later on in the operation and dissemination of these systems to the various other elements. Some of them belong to the MODAFL and are responsible for HESA and Qods, others operate under the auspices of the IRGC and are responsible for KIPAS and the Shahed Aviation Industries, and some for the end users in Qods Force or the various proxy organizations.

As mentioned, Hajizadeh is the most dominant figure, mainly in view of the expedited operation and procurement processes carried out over the last year with Russia (and China). He is also responsible for the attacks on Saudi Arabia – including those against the Aramco facilities – and for the attempts to operate long-range Iranian UAVs to penetrate Israeli airspace.

Another senior figure in the IRGC who is active in this field is Abdollah Mehrabi, who is in charge of the UAV industries within the IRGC, including the Shahed Aviation Industries.

A third senior official is Sa'id Izadi, the Head of the Palestinian Branch in the IRGC-Qods Force Lebanon Corps, who is in charge of all the support provided to the Palestinian terrorist organizations and Iran's ties with them, including the transfer of funds, knowhow, and weapon systems to these various organizations (chiefly Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad). Izadi is also involved in the efforts to develop the UAV industry in the Gaza Strip, which encounters objective difficulties due to the fact that the Gaza Strip is a closed enclave and relies on independent development alone, and also as Israel tries to take advantage of every round of violence or strikes there to destroy facilities, weapons, and capabilities that these organizations try to develop.

There are two key figures working in this field in the Iranian MODAFL. The first one is Seyyed Hojjatollah Qureishi, the Head of the Logistics Branch at the MODAFL, who is in charge of arms exports and as such heads the security ties with Russia. Qureishi led the process of the UAV sales to Russia, reaping considerable praise for his success. He is also actively working to promote similar processes with additional states and is currently active in the establishment of a UAV production plant in Tajikistan, as well as the efforts to help Armenia in its war against Azerbaijan. An additional figure is Qassem Damavandian, who is in charge of the Qods Industries that manufacture the Mohajer series of UAVs.

Hundreds of workers and experts from diverse fields work under these figures – from the various engineering disciplines and technological worlds to intelligence and operations. Since this Iranian capability has made dramatic progress in recent years it has also facilitated a significant leap forward in terms of the broad variety of force employment options at its disposal. Against Israel, for example, this enables Iran to adopt offensive options using a variety of systems and ranges, beginning with its close proxies in Lebanon and Syria (and Gaza), via its more remote proxies in Iraq and Yemen, and culminating in the independent launching of UAVs from any location within Iran.

Any such attack requires meticulous planning. This starts from the selection of the appropriate aircraft (intelligence collection, attack, kamikaze), moves on to selection of the munition, and ends with planning of the flight path to limit the risk of exposure and interception. This presents Israel with a significant headache as it is then forced to adapt its defensive arrays to deal with the new threat: not only missiles arriving from a high altitude, but UAVs (and cruise missiles) that fly at a slower speed and a low altitude, thus presenting a thorny challenge to the radars that are supposed to detect them (and on the other hand, make it easier to intercept them due to their low flight speed, compared with the more complex task of intercepting missiles and rockets).

In practice, the Iranians are so taken up by this new world of UAVs, which is rife with endless opportunities, that they are currently focusing their main efforts primarily on the development of unmanned aerial vehicles. The IRGC Aerospace Force has no airplanes, and its arsenal is made up chiefly of a broad variety of missiles and rockets, UAVs and diverse air defense systems, which it also disseminates to its various proxies. "This enables it to realize its policy – force employment underneath the threshold of escalation, in other words, to attack targets without risking becoming entangled in war itself," says the military official.

The challenge: Countermeasures and interception

In relation to Israel this is an especially dramatic change. "This is not a missile launch that is a clear red line involving a breach of the threshold of escalation that would certainly lead to war. UAVs enable Iran to operate with a relative degree of clandestineness, even from a great distance, though we do currently see a clear concern among them from a potential Israeli response to such action on Iranian soil."

This has occurred, among others, following strikes in Iran that have been attributed to Israel. Such a strike, which is attributed to the Mossad, was carried out using UAVs in March 2022 leading to the destruction of dozens of Shahed UAVs on the ground at a plant in the city of Kermanshah in Iran. An additional attack, in February this year (which too was carried out using UAVs and was also credited to the Mossad), hit a plant in the vicinity of the city of Karaj at which Iran manufactured UAVs.

These attacks caused a certain degree of damage to Iran and also evidently conveyed a strong message, but they have not put an end to the process. "The Iranians now boast a sufficiently adequate level of competency," says Captain Y, the Head of the I&W (Indications & Warnings) Section in the Iran Branch in the Research & Analysis Division at IDF Military Intelligence. "They know how to manufacture, how to launch and hit the target. Even if their capability is not of a global first-rate quality, their approach is to work with quantity: to launch en masse, and then some will fall on the way be downed, but some will eventually arrive at the target. As far as they are concerned, this is a sufficient means of implementing their force employment doctrine."

As far as Israel is concerned, this is one hell of a headache. The next war might not only bring with it a downpour of missiles and rockets but also an extremely challenging multi-theater UAV threat operated by a variety of forces – from the UAV units of Hezbollah and the pro-Iranian militias in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, to the Iranians themselves. The job of the intelligence is not only to provide advance warning in order to enable the employment of countermeasures or interception so that we are not forced to rely on a strong defensive posture alone, but also to collect intelligence designed to enable the IAF and the defense industries to become familiar with the various weapon systems and threats and their capabilities, and to develop an appropriately tailored detection and interception response using a broad variety of means.

The experts believe that the future will be no less of a challenge. "We live in a world where in no time at all we will be using drones to send deliveries, where systems are able to talk or transfer information and images from one to another," says Captain L. "At some point in the future, the endless diversity is bound to reach a point of saturation as each airborne system requires appropriate experts, technicians, logistics, and a different mode of operation, but the quantity will simply keep on growing – and consequently the challenge will not become any easier."

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On the surface, the perfect deception operation unfolded through domestic political preoccupation with the conscription law, speculation about coalition dissolution leading to elections, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's struggle to preserve his government. While the operation order was signed on Monday, the political battle was at its peak, foreign reports announced additional nuclear talks on Sunday, and United States Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff himself announced he would land there for that purpose. This occurred while the US was updated before the attack by Israel and was privy to the secret.

Copies of the Iranian newspaper Hamshahri with a picture of US President Donald Trump and the sentence 'Why US insists to negotiation' are seen at a kiosk in Tehran, Iran, 28 April 2025. According to the Iranian Foreign Ministry on April 28, 2025 (EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH)

Central to the deception involved strategic personnel positioning. Rather than traveling to Washington for expected consultations, Mossad Director David Barnea and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer remained conspicuously in Israel. Intelligence sources deliberately spread reports about planned meetings with Witkoff ahead of anticipated sixth-round diplomatic talks, reinforcing false narratives about Israel's diplomatic focus.

Recent days brought increasing signals that astute observers might have detected. White House evacuation advisories for American personnel in regional countries intensified, while speculation about potential Israeli military action gained momentum in international media. Israeli officials, however, maintained complete operational silence, offering no indication that military action was imminent. Trump's contradictory public statements about Israeli intentions, coupled with his administration's stated preference for negotiated solutions, further clouded external assessments.

The final deception layer involved Netanyahu's personal schedule. His planned northern vacation and his son's Tuesday wedding created a timeline that appeared incompatible with major military operations. News analysts concluded that such personal commitments indicated Israel was not preparing immediate military action. This reasoning proved entirely wrong. The nighttime strikes represented strategic surprise at what senior officials characterized as a "point of no return" moment – when Iran's advancing nuclear capabilities and delivery systems could no longer be tolerated. Unlike the devastating October 7 surprise that caught Israel unprepared, this initiative positions Israel advantageously for years ahead.

Operational security extended to Israel's senior leadership. Beyond a restricted circle of essential personnel and cabinet ministers bound by enhanced confidentiality agreements, even high-ranking officials remained uninformed about precise timing. No advance preparations that might have signaled Iranian intelligence were implemented. This represents an ongoing strategic confrontation rather than a concluded episode. Israel executed preemptive action behind masterful concealment, and while surprise elements will influence Iran's response capabilities, retaliation remains inevitable. The decision apparently achieved consensus support, based on recent statements from opposition leadership. The choice to proceed, despite incomplete American endorsement but with substantial backing, reflected existential imperatives for Israeli security.

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Early Friday morning, the Home Front Command announced an immediate shift in national defense posture. The new directive moves all Israeli regions from full operational status to essential services only. These restrictions prohibit educational activities, public gatherings, and non-essential work operations.

"The people of Israel face an emergency situation, and we pray while strengthening our IDF soldiers and national leadership in their war to eliminate the existential threat against Israel," Rabbi David Stav, who chairs the Tzahar rabbinical organization, said. "This crisis demands complete adherence to Home Front Command directives. Should gathering restrictions remain in effect – this necessarily includes synagogue prayers. While communal prayer represents an ideal, preserving life takes precedence over Shabbat observance."

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, serving as Tzfat's chief rabbi, advocates for neighborhood-based prayer services similar to coronavirus-era arrangements. "Community prayer groups can function near protected areas when necessary. Should synagogue worship become feasible, congregants must carry firearms, given uncertainty about Israeli Arab intentions. The synagogue sexton should also maintain telephone access."

Both rabbinical authorities emphasize monitoring emergency broadcasts through silent radio frequencies while prohibiting regular media consumption. "Keep radios tuned to silent emergency channels for critical updates. Television, standard radio programming, and internet browsing for news remain forbidden," both rabbis instructed.

Rabbi Eliyahu further stressed advance preparation of safe rooms for extended Shabbat occupation. "Maintain minimal lighting to prevent Shabbat violations through switching lights on or off," he advised.

Restricted Western Wall operations

Following Israel's emergency declaration and directives from security agencies and Israel Police, Western Wall prayers will operate under severe limitations to ensure worshipper and visitor safety. Current guidelines restrict services until further notice to protected prayer chambers within the Western Wall tunnel complex, with strict capacity controls and official oversight.

"We emphasize the critical importance of following Home Front Command and security force instructions. Compliance with these guidelines saves lives. All site prayers will focus on the welfare and success of IDF personnel, security operatives, and Israeli Air Force pilots defending Israel and its people with unwavering resolve," Western Wall Heritage Foundation representatives stated.

IDF Spokesperson Lt. Col. Efi Dafrin briefed media following the overnight strategic operation, confirming Iran launched more than 100 drones toward Israel while defense systems engage incoming threats.

Addressing Israeli Air Force operations in Iran, Dafrin reported "Through precision targeting overnight, forces struck over 100 Iranian sites. Operations targeted nuclear program infrastructure while eliminating senior leadership and command personnel." The military spokesman continued "Our intelligence has tracked Iranian developments for years."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued remarks from the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet session, stating "We have delivered a highly successful initial strike, and with divine assistance – we will achieve substantial strategic gains." Addressing Israeli civilians, Netanyahu warned "Extended periods in protected facilities may prove necessary."

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As air raid sirens pierced the early hours of Friday, millions of Israelis braced for developments. Jenner, unaccustomed to such alerts, is residing at the David Intercontinental Hotel in Tel Aviv, where Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality officials are keeping her informed and supported.

A Fox News team is filming Jenner's visit, preserving her experiences for a global audience. On Thursday, she appeared on Israeli television news, discussing her stay. When asked about her family's concerns, she recounted, "I spoke with my daughter Kylie, and she urged me to stay safe. I reassured her, 'Don't worry, I'll keep myself safe, and they'll take care of me.'"

Though the Pride Parade was canceled, Jenner toured meaningful locations on Thursday, including Jerusalem's Western Wall, Kibbutz Be'eri, and the Nova Festival site. At a press conference on Wednesday, shortly after arriving, she articulated her solidarity with Israel. "It is my honor to be here," she declared. "One of the reasons I support Israel is that Israel and the Jewish tradition are important. When I was 13, my father fought against the Nazis. He had pictures from the war, and it affected him. As a young person, I looked at those pictures and couldn't believe humanity was capable of such things. It opened my eyes for the first time, and since then, I have been on the side of the Jewish people. Now I have the opportunity to come here and show my support."

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Trump disclosed that he has maintained frequent communication with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent days. The president emphasized his administration's position that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons capabilities while leaving the door open for future negotiations.

"Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb and we are hoping to get back to the negotiating table. We will see. There are several people in leadership that will not be coming back," Trump stated during the interview.

The Trump administration informed at least one significant Middle Eastern partner about the impending Israeli operation while clarifying that the US played no operational role in the strikes. Administration officials have confirmed that several senior Iranian officials perished in the Israeli bombardment.

Trump announced plans to convene a National Security Council meeting Friday morning, with the White House confirming the session. The president had previously indicated that an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen" while maintaining his preference for peaceful resolution.

US Central Command has elevated its alert status as Trump monitors potential Iranian retaliation, with the president affirming America's readiness to defend both itself and Israel should Iran respond. The administration has recently replenished Israel's Iron Dome missile inventory as tensions escalated.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized American non-involvement in the strikes, stating that Israel acted independently for self-defense purposes. "We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region," Rubio declared in an official statement.

"Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel," Rubio added.

Iranian armed forces representatives threatened that Israel and the US would face severe consequences for the attack, accusing Washington of providing operational support despite American denials,. An Israeli official informed public broadcaster Kan that coordination with Washington had occurred regarding the Iran operation.

The State Department issued immediate guidance directing all US government personnel in Israel and their families to "shelter in place until further notice." Military planners are preparing for various contingencies across the Middle East, including potential civilian evacuation scenarios, a US official confirmed to Reuters.

Financial markets reacted sharply to the developments, with Asian trading sessions experiencing significant declines led by US futures selloff. Oil prices surged as investors sought refuge in traditional safe-haven assets including gold and the Swiss franc.

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This extensive preparation involved gathering detailed intelligence and conducting surveillance operations targeting senior Iranian security apparatus officials and nuclear scientists who were subsequently eliminated. These efforts ran parallel to a clandestine operational campaign aimed at undermining Iran's strategic missile capabilities.

Video: How the Iran strike unfolded / IDF Spokesperson

Throughout this comprehensive framework, Mossad orchestrated intelligence-operational and technological collaboration with IDF units and defense contractors, executing multiple covert sabotage missions deep within Iranian territory, alongside widespread Israeli Air Force operations.

These coordinated operations specifically targeted Iran's strategic missile infrastructure and air defense networks. The institutional strategy required extended planning periods, demanding audacious and sophisticated coordination combined with innovative strategic thinking and operational deception.

Every mission necessitated meticulous research and precision intelligence collection, cutting-edge technologies, and extensive commando force deployment operating clandestinely throughout Tehran and across Iran while evading Iranian security and intelligence surveillance.

Initially, Mossad commando units operated throughout central Iran, deploying precision-guided weapons systems in strategic open areas near Iranian surface-to-air missile installations.

Through their operational activities, Mossad operatives successfully introduced specialized combat systems on an extensive scale, strategically positioning them across Iranian territory and directing them toward designated targets with exceptional precision and effectiveness.

Notably, this operation encompassed three distinct and sophisticated institutional operational frameworks. Initially, Mossad commando units operated throughout central Iran, deploying precision-guided weapons systems in strategic open areas near Iranian surface-to-air missile installations. Upon commencement of Israeli operations, coordinated with Israeli Air Force strikes across Iran, these systems received guidance and activation signals, launching precision missiles simultaneously toward designated targets with remarkable accuracy.

Video: An air defense system in western Iran taken out / Credit: IDF

Through a secondary operational phase designed to neutralize Iranian air defense systems threatening Israeli aircraft, Mossad executed clandestine operations deploying attack systems and advanced technologies mounted on mobile platforms. As the surprise offensive commenced, these weapons systems engaged and completely eliminated their designated targets – Iranian defensive installations.

Through a secondary operational phase designed to neutralize Iranian air defense systems threatening Israeli aircraft, Mossad executed clandestine operations deploying attack systems and advanced technologies mounted on mobile platforms. As the surprise offensive commenced, these weapons systems engaged and completely eliminated their designated targets – Iranian defensive installations.

The third operational phase involved Mossad establishing explosive drone facilities infiltrated deep into Iranian territory well before the attack through agent networks. During Israeli operations, these explosive drones activated and targeted surface-to-surface missile launchers positioned at Esfejabad base near Tehran, which represented significant threats to Israeli strategic and civilian infrastructure.

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10:22 p.m.: Approximately 200 launches have been detected so far toward Israeli territory, and nine impact sites have been recorded across the country. Around five people sustained light to moderate injuries.

9:10 p.m.: About 100 missiles launched at Israel, impacts identified in at least 5 areas.

9:07 p.m.: Missile launches from Iran detected, alert sent nationwide for Israelis to enter protected spaces.

8:00 p.m.: IDF's Home Front Command instructs Israelis to stay near protected spaces

7:04 p.m.: Reports emerge of explosions in the area of the Fordow nuclear facility, Iran's most fortified enrichment facility.

7:03 p.m.: An Israeli security source revealed additional details about the success of the first wave of Operation "Rising Lion." According to the source, more than 20 sites were hit in less than 15 minutes, with the objective being the elimination of Revolutionary Guard leadership and senior scientists. The Israelis increased intelligence gathering over the past year and prepared for this moment, identifying precise apartments and offices of their targets. "The attacks were more successful than the Israelis expected them to be," the security source reported, indicating exceptional success of the operation beyond original expectations.

6:48 p.m.: Iranian sources told The New York Times: Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani was eliminated.

6:48 p.m.: US President Donald Trump told Reuters it's unclear whether Iran still has a nuclear program following the Israeli attacks. Trump added that the US has nuclear talks planned with Iran for Sunday, but isn't certain if they will take place. "I tried to save Iran humiliation and death," the president said, adding that he's not worried about a regional war breaking out.

5:58 p.m.: Reports in Iran indicate that in the Israeli attacks, air defense commander Davood Sheikhan was also eliminated.

5:47 p.m.: The new Revolutionary Guard commander wrote a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader and swore that "the gates of hell will soon open for the child-killing regime." Meanwhile, Israel began a new round of attacks in Tehran near Firozi Street, where the Revolutionary Guard headquarters are located.

5:20 p.m.: Israeli officials reported that the Iranians were unsuccessful in carrying out a missile attack on Israel due to problems in the command chain and additional issues.

4:51 p.m.: Report: The US is transferring military resources to the Middle East in response to Israeli attacks and a possible retaliatory response from Iran.

4:32 p.m.: Israel attacks the Imam Ali facility in Khomabad, a facility that the Iranians used to launch satellites but actually served the nuclear weapons program and ballistic missile development. This represents a significant hit to Iranian nuclear capabilities as part of Israel's operation.

4:22 p.m.: According to The New York Times, in the Israeli attacks in Iran, a nuclear research center and missile bases were attacked in Tabriz. In Tehran, the Parchin military base, missile factories, headquarters and residential apartments were attacked. The Iranian Fars news agency reported at least 78 killed in the attacks and 329 wounded.

4:16 p.m.: The Air Force intercepted an Iranian drone that crossed into northern Israel: Following the alerts that were activated a short time ago in northern Israel, the Air Force intercepted an unmanned aircraft that was launched from Iran.

2:30 p.m.: Trump warns Iran "a lot more to come" if it doesn't agree to his terms of a deal. Read more here. He added that Two months ago I gave Iran a 60 day ultimatum to 'make a deal.' They should have done it! Today is day 61. I told them what to do, but they just couldn't get there. Now they have, perhaps, a second chance!"

1:30 p.m.: Israel confirms chief of Revolutionary Guards' Aerospace Force Ali Hajji-Zadeh was killed.

1 p.m.: Trump backs Israel, says Tehran had a choice to make and it failed to compromise. He warns that Israel's next steps will be more painful.

Video: How the Iran strike unfolded / Credit: IDF

"I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to "just do it," but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn't get it done. I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come - And they know how to use it. Certain Iranian hardliner's spoke bravely, but they didn't know what was about to happen. They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!"

12:40 p.m.: Israel resumes strikes on Iran's northwestern area, reportedly destroying Tabriz airport. Earlier, it was confirmed that most of the senior officers in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards' air force were eliminated.

Video: The Israeli strike in the Tabriz area / Credit: Social media

12:12 p.m.:

IDF confirms it struck Iran's largest uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area

"During the night, Israeli Air Force fighter jets, with precise intelligence guidance from the Intelligence Division, attacked the Iranian regime's uranium enrichment site in the Natanz area. This is Iran's largest uranium enrichment site, which has operated for years to achieve nuclear weapons and contains the infrastructure required for military-grade enrichment.

"As part of the strikes, the underground area at the site was damaged, containing a multi-story enrichment hall with centrifuges, electrical rooms and additional supporting infrastructure. In addition, vital infrastructure at the site that enables its operational continuity and continued advancement of the Iranian regime's nuclear weapons project were attacked.
"The close cooperation between the Intelligence Division and the Israeli Air Force resulted in significant damage to the site.

11:56 a.m.: All eliminations of senior military, Revolutionary Guards and nuclear scientists were carried out using explosive drones that the Mossad infiltrated into Iran well in advance."

11:30 a.m.: Israel thwarts massive drone attack; IAF hits more than 300 targets in Iran. All drones successfully downed. Residents in Israel no longer have to be next to shelter.

11:20 a.m.: Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment site was damaged, with some media reporting it was destroyed.

10:37 a.m.: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz reported Friday morning that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu updated him by phone about the military action in Iran and its objectives. According to Merz, the German government operates in close coordination with its partners, led by Britain, France and the United States. Merz called on all sides to avoid escalation, but emphasized that Germany continues to uphold Israel's right to defend its existence and the security of its citizens. After the conversation with Netanyahu, Merz convened the federal security cabinet.

10:24 a.m.: In recent hours, the Israel Defense Forces completed an extensive blow against the Iranian regime's air defense systems in western Iran. Israeli Air Force fighter jets, with precise intelligence guidance from the Intelligence Division, attacked and destroyed dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers.

Video: The red revenge flag was raised over the mosque in Jamkaran / Credit: Arab media

According to the Israel Defense Forces, this represents a continuation of systematic action during the war against Iran's air defense systems and those of its proxies in the Middle East. The military emphasizes that these strikes significantly improve the Israeli Air Force's freedom of aerial action.

Video: Video footage of Iranian surface-to-air missile launcher / Credit: IDF Spokespersons Unit

9:41 a.m.: Israel confirms drones being intercepted, outside of Israel, as they make their way toward the population centers.

Video: Attack on Iranian defense systems / Credit: IDF Spokespersons Unit

9:00 a.m.: Iran: We will not hold another round of talks with the US. A member of the Security and Foreign Policy Committee in the Iranian Parliament, Alaedin Boroujerdi, said Friday morning that the sixth round of talks with the US will not take place following the Israeli attacks.

مكان استشـ ـهاد القائد العام لحرس الثورة اللواء حسين سلامي ومجموعة من زملائه وحراسه الشخصيين#ملحق pic.twitter.com/DUrSEHsKYC

— Mulhak - ملحق (@Mulhak) June 13, 2025

8:40 a.m.: First documentation from the elimination site of the Revolutionary Guards commander. Iranian media published Friday morning the first footage from the location where Revolutionary Guards commander General Hussein Salami was eliminated, alongside a series of commanders and bodyguards who were killed with him in Israel's strikes on Iran.

Still think the Iranian Regime will stop at Israel? Let them prove you wrong: pic.twitter.com/96c7oROorf

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) June 13, 2025

8:22 a.m.: The National Security Council issued a public statement Friday morning following recent regional developments, warning of possible revenge attacks by terror elements against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide. The statement noted that a higher probability now exists for attempts to harm Israeli civilians abroad, requiring increased precautionary measures according to travel advisories.

Video: Iranian drones on their way to Israel / Credit: Social media

The National Security Council statement provided clear recommendations: avoid displaying Jewish and Israeli symbols, refrain from sharing personal information on social networks, do not participate in events associated with Israel or Judaism, and maintain heightened vigilance in public spaces. The advisory also recommended cooperating with local security forces and contacting them in emergencies, alongside updating the Foreign Ministry situation room at 02-5303155. For additional details, contact the National Security Council center or through WhatsApp message at 050-2418480.

8:03 a.m.: During the night, the Israeli Air Force struck more than 100 targets throughout Iran, with precise intelligence guidance from the Intelligence Division. More than 200 fighter jets participated in the operation, which also targeted hiding places of senior Iranian military leadership.

Video: Explosions in Iran following the Israeli strike

According to the Israel Defense Forces, the strikes eliminated the three most senior military commanders of the Iranian regime: Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Hussein Bagheri, Revolutionary Guards commander Hussein Salami, and Emergency Command chief Khatam al-Anbiya, Khatam-Gholam Ali Rashid.

Ali Shamkhani advisor to Iran's regime's supreme leaders home.

Also, he has been eliminated pic.twitter.com/f9JKSHoGwE

— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) June 13, 2025

7:54 a.m.: Chief of Staff: "Senior officials in the Iranian security leadership were eliminated, we struck the Iranian regime's air defense systems. We identified that the regime had advanced significantly in achieving nuclear capability and was able to act against us."

7:32 a.m.: Report: Hours after his elimination, a replacement for the Iranian chief of staff has been found. Admiral Habib-Allah Siyari was appointed as acting commander of Iran's armed forces. Siyari previously served as commander of the Iranian Navy from 2007 to 2018 and was deputy to Mohammad Bagheri, who was responsible for coordinating between the different branches of the armed forces.

With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see.

— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) June 13, 2025

7:28 a.m.: Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei published on X: "In the enemy's attacks, several commanders and scientists have been martyred. God willing, their successors and colleagues will carry on with their duties without delay. With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see."

7:15 a.m.: Iran International TV reported Friday morning that Ali Shamkhani, close advisor to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, was killed in the Israeli strike on Iranian soil.

7:11 a.m.: Despite Home Front Command instructions, Israelis began preparing to stockpile food at local supermarkets.

7:08 a.m.: Israeli officials estimated Friday morning that Iran's response to the strike could include launching hundreds of ballistic missiles toward Israel.

7:03 a.m.: Iranian media reported Friday morning on the elimination of senior security and nuclear officials: Mohammad Bagheri, Hossein Salami, Gholam Ali Rashid, Mahdi Taherianchi, and Fereydoun Abbas. Reports also indicated strikes on the nuclear facility and uranium enrichment site at Natanz.

7:02 a.m.: President Donald Trump told Fox News Friday morning he was aware in advance of Israel's plan to strike Iran, but emphasized the US was not militarily involved.

6:58 a.m.: The Israel Defense Forces Arabic spokesperson warned Friday morning on his X account: "I warn: anyone who tries to challenge us will pay a heavy price."

6:52 a.m.: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued an additional statement.

6:50 a.m.: A France24 correspondent in Tehran reported that the nuclear reactor at Natanz was severely damaged, according to sources in the Iranian nuclear agency.

6:48 a.m.: Senator Lindsey Graham called on the Trump administration to support Israel in eliminating Iran's nuclear infrastructure. In an interview with Israel Hayom, Graham said: "You have my full support – you are fighting humanity's war." Graham compared Israel's critics to those who failed to recognize Adolf Hitler in 1935.

6:46 a.m.: President Trump said Friday morning that the US seeks to return to negotiations with Iran: "We'll see what happens. There are some people in the leadership who won't be coming back – but Iran cannot have nuclear weapons."

6:42 a.m.: Prime Minister Netanyahu issued a statement Thursday night following the Israeli strike on Iran: "Citizens of Israel, we are at a decisive moment in Israel's history. Our brave pilots are striking targets in Iran in an unprecedented operation to damage Iran's nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile factories, and military capabilities. The operation will continue until we remove the threat of annihilation from above our heads. I salute the Israel Defense Forces commanders and soldiers for their bold planning and powerful execution."

6:40 a.m.: Saudi channel Al-Hadath reported that the eliminations of military officials and nuclear scientists were carried out thanks to a security breach in the Iranian intelligence apparatus.

6:22 a.m.: Preliminary investigations of the first wave of strikes in Iran indicate that the impact results exceeded expectations. Israel struck Iran's missile systems, including those directed against it, and compounds where Iran advanced the weaponization process of the nuclear bomb it has been developing recently. Nuclear sites were also hit, as well as knowledge centers and knowledgeable personnel, both regarding nuclear matters and other programs, in such a way that it will take Iran a long time to restore the gap created.

6:21 a.m.: Update from the Transportation Ministry situation room: "Given the state of emergency and stricter defensive instructions nationwide, public transportation will operate in a very limited manner, focusing on service to hospitals and essential destinations. Israel Railways is currently operating normally. In case of alerts, passengers must follow instructions from train crews, stations, and the Home Front Command. For passengers at Ben Gurion Airport, Israel Railways has activated special train services to evacuate passengers from the airport grounds. Light rail in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv will not operate at all until further notice. Information about public transportation trips in apps and information sites does not necessarily reflect which lines will operate, so it is recommended to check individually about line operations through public transportation operators' call centers."

5:53 a.m.: El Al announces cancellation of all flights for Friday and Saturday.

5:48 a.m.: Ali Shamkhani, close associate of the Supreme Leader and former head of the National Security Council, was severely injured in the strike, according to a France24 correspondent in Tehran.

5:40 a.m.: Security sources told Reuters that Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is alive and receiving updates on the attack.

5:32 a.m.: Finance Minister and Cabinet member Bezalel Smotrich stated: "Citizens of Israel, the State of Israel launched a necessary preemptive attack for our security, future, and existence. We are acting to remove an existential threat facing us from the antisemitic ayatollahs' regime, which publicly calls for our destruction and works toward this practically and concretely. Many months of intensive and professional preparation by the Israel Defense Forces and other security agencies reached their peak tonight, and I want to thank the Chief of Staff and all those working with determination and professionalism."

5:31 a.m.: The Washington Post reported that a US security source said this attack, which Israel announced would continue for several days, would provoke a significant Iranian response that would lead Israel to ask the US for help dealing with it, "despite the fact that it just blew up America's delicate diplomatic talks."

5:26 a.m.: Iran plans to "give a harsh response" to the Israeli attack launched early Friday against its nuclear program, an Iranian security source told Reuters. "The response to the Israeli attack will be harsh and unambiguous," the source said, adding that details of Iran's response "are being discussed at the highest levels."

Prime Minister Netanyahu:
"Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.

This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." pic.twitter.com/3c8oF1GCYa

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

5:19 a.m.: Defense Minister Israel Katz told General Staff Forum members before the Iran strike: "This is a defining moment in the history of the State of Israel and in the history of the Jewish people. Tonight the Israel Defense Forces opens an operation against the head of the Iranian octopus to thwart its capabilities and remove the threats of annihilation from the State of Israel."

5:17 a.m.: In all sectors, situation assessments were held, deciding on force reinforcement, equipment stockpiling, and high offensive readiness.

4:46 a.m.: Preliminary reports on the elimination of Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami.

4:44 a.m.: Additional elimination targets besides Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri included Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami and Air and Space Force commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh. Revolutionary Guards headquarters in Tehran were severely damaged and caught fire.

4:39 a.m.: Following the Israel Defense Forces' preemptive attack in Iran and according to a situation assessment held at 4:30 a.m., Eilat Mayor Eli Lankri opened all public shelters and public parking lots throughout the city. Schools will also open as protected spaces.

4:38 a.m.: Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir: "We launched the attack because the time has come, we reached the point of no return. We cannot wait for another time of action, we have no choice. Distant and recent history taught us that facing aspirations to destroy us, we must not bow our heads, and from this we fight to preserve our existence."

4:36 a.m.: Iranian television reported that the Revolutionary Guards headquarters in Tehran was hit.

4:33 a.m.: Foreign reports of a second wave of Israeli strikes.

3:50 a.m.: Israeli official: Three nuclear sites were attacked with reports of accurate hits. Long-range missile launch sites, air defense systems, and military airfields were also attacked. The Iranian Chief of Staff was definitely eliminated along with several heads of the nuclear military program and missiles. Senior scientists were also eliminated, thanks to accurate intelligence and guidance from the Mossad. The attack used advanced capabilities, not just from the Israeli Air Force.

3:22 a.m.: The Iranian news agency reported an explosion in an area northeast of Tehran.

Israel announced a pre-emptive strike in the predawn hours of Friday, while air raid sirens reverberated in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and other population centers as potential airborne attacks were anticipated, although no actual launches were detected toward Israel as of 3:30 a.m., Army Radio reported.

The first phase of the strike against dozens of sites was completed successfully just before 4 a.m., with international media reporting the enrichment site at Natanz, as well as other locations, although Israel has yet to specify the targets. According to an Israeli official, there is growing optimism that Israel successfully eliminated Iran's top security officials.

Video: Scenes following the Israeli strikes / Credit: Social media

The new operation was called Rising Lion (Am Kelavi in Hebrew) in reference to a biblical verse on the rise of the People of Israel during wartime. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "Iran carried out steps that it had never done before, and this gave us no choice but to carry out a last-resort measure," vowing the operation would take "as long as it takes" and said it was "a defining moment in Israel's history."

"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐃𝐅 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞, 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐈𝐫𝐚𝐧'𝐬 𝐧𝐮𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦," the military said on X. "Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran. Today, Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the Iranian regime are an existential threat to the State of Israel and to the wider world. The State of Israel has no choice but to fulfill the obligation to act in defense of its citizens and will continue to do so everywhere it is required to do so, as we have done in the past."

Video: Scenes of explosions following the reported Israeli attack in Iran / Credit: social media

Defense Minister Israel Katz swiftly declared a nationwide state of emergency. "In response to Israel's preemptive attack on Iran, we anticipate an imminent missile and drone assault targeting Israel and its civilians," he stated. Israelis were told "stay next to a protected space" at all times and only leave it once there is a secondary alert, rather than wait 10 minutes, as is usually the case from rockets.

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