A dangerous new chapter has unfolded in the Middle East as Israel and Iran exchange deadly air and missile strikes, triggering international alarm and raising fears of a broader regional war. The escalation began on Friday, June 13, when Israel launched a wide-ranging air assault on Iran under the name “Operation Rising Lion”, targeting military, nuclear, and government facilities.
According to multiple sources including Reuters, BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera, the Israeli strikes hit over 100 sites across Iran—including nuclear facilities at Natanz and Arak, airbases near Isfahan and Shiraz, and IRGC command centres. Iran’s state media has reported hundreds of deaths, many of them civilians, and warned of severe consequences.
Iran’s response was swift and forceful. In the early hours of June 15, it launched a series of ballistic missile strikes at central and southern Israel. Cities including Tel Aviv, Beersheba, and Haifa came under attack. Although Israel’s Iron Dome and Arrow missile defence systems intercepted many of the projectiles, several landed in populated areas. Israeli authorities confirm at least 14 deaths, including medical staff at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, and over 70 injured.
Geopolitical shockwaves
The confrontation has sent shockwaves across the globe. The United States, a close ally of Israel, deployed naval and air defence assets to the Eastern Mediterranean and intercepted multiple Iranian missiles in support of Israeli defences. President Trump has publicly warned Iran to de-escalate, though no formal declaration of US military engagement has been made. However, US officials say limited air strikes are being considered.
Iran’s UN Ambassador warned that any direct US involvement would result in “firm” retaliation, with Tehran reportedly placing its missile and air defence forces on high alert. Meanwhile, Russia, China, the EU, and the UN have called for “immediate restraint” and warned against further escalation.
The conflict has also brought Iran’s nuclear ambitions back into the spotlight. Israeli officials claim the strikes have set back Tehran’s nuclear programme by “several years”. In response, Iran is reportedly reassessing its commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has suspended IAEA inspections.
Crisis at home
Inside Iran, the strikes have led to mass evacuations, particularly around Tehran and Isfahan. Over 100,000 civilians are believed to have fled to northern provinces. Fuel shortages and partial internet shutdowns have added to the chaos. In Israel, residents near military installations and border areas have been instructed to stay in shelters or evacuate temporarily.
The economic impact is already being felt globally. Oil prices have surged by nearly 10%, and Middle East stock markets have seen sharp declines. Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are urging calm while increasing their own military readiness.
What comes next
While both nations say they do not seek full-scale war, military analysts warn the situation remains highly volatile. With nationalist rhetoric rising on both sides and limited diplomatic backchannels open, further escalation remains a strong possibility.
As of now, international observers remain focused on whether the United States will move from supporting Israel’s defence to active involvement, a step that would almost certainly trigger a wider regional confrontation.
Also read: Iran hypersonic missiles fired amid ongoing conflict
With information from: Reuters/ Al Jazeera/ BBC/ CNN
