Operation Rising Lion: Israel strikes Iran’s nuclear sites; USA dissociates itself from the attack
Israel has killed some of Iran's top leaders during its "Operation Rising Lion" against the country, in which it launched over 200 fighter jets at Iran.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) June 13: As tensions increased over U.S. efforts to secure Iran's promise to stop producing atomic bomb material, Israel claimed early Friday, June 13, 2025, that it had hit Iran, and Iranian media reported hearing explosions in Tehran. A state of emergency has also been declared by Israel as it prepares for a Tehrani drone and missile attack. According to an Israeli military officer, Israel was hitting "dozens" of military and nuclear targets.
According to Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel, Israel has begun Operation Rising Lion, a "targeted operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival." Netanyahu said Israel had targeted Iran's top nuclear scientist and its primary nuclear enrichment and weaponization facilities. He also claimed that the country had lately taken efforts to weaponize enriched uranium.
Netanyahu said, "This procedure will go on for however many days it takes."
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio dissociated the United States from what he described as "unilateral action" by their close partner in a brief statement shortly after the military strikes were reported.
He said, “Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. 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. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel” in the statement.
Israel Katz, the Israeli defence minister, said that his nation launched an airstrike but did not specify its target.
Tensions have escalated due to Tehran's rapidly developing nuclear program at the time of the attack. Iran was censured by the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors on Thursday for the first time in 20 years for failing to cooperate with its inspectors.
India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Friday, June 13, 2025, that it is "deeply concerned" about the changing circumstances in West Asia following Israel's claims that it attacked many targets in Iran, including nuclear energy research facilities. India's embassies in Tehran and Tel Aviv have warned Indian nationals to exercise caution due to the rising tension in the area.
The Ministry of External Affairs said, “We are deeply concerned at the recent developments between Iran and Israel. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites. India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps” in a statement.
Aadrika Tayal
