Israel Strikes Iran’s Natanz Nuclear Complex in “Operation Rising Lion” – Satellite Images revealing damages – Iran retaliates with 200 drones

Israel launches Operation Rising Lion targeting Iran’s Natanz nuclear site, kills key scientists and commanders. Iran retaliates with drones and vows harsh revenge.

In a sweeping pre-dawn offensive on June 13, 2025, Israel executed Operation Rising Lion, a meticulously planned air and cyber campaign aimed at crippling Iran’s most sensitive nuclear infrastructure, particularly the underground Natanz Nuclear Enrichment Facility. The operation involved nearly 200 Israeli fighter jets, electronic warfare systems, and covert cyberattacks designed to neutralize Iran’s air defenses before penetrating deep into the complex.

At Natanz, the strike was devastating. The main underground centrifuge halls—housing thousands of IR‑2m and IR‑6 centrifuges—suffered extensive damage. Explosions ruptured control systems, while support buildings were crushed under precise bunker-busting bombs. Though the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later confirmed there were no radiation leaks, Iran admitted that the attack had seriously disrupted its uranium enrichment capabilities. Observers suggest the damage could keep Natanz offline for at least 12 to 24 months.

Satellite imagery released shortly after the strike confirmed the scale of destruction. The images revealed blackened craters, collapsed rooftops, and shattered infrastructure in multiple sectors of the facility, including underground bunkers previously thought to be fortified. Independent analysts noted that the images clearly indicate a deep and systematic dismantling of Iran’s key enrichment capabilities.

Echoing the gravity of the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation in a recorded message:

“We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme… at Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz… this operation will continue for as many days as it takes.”

He framed the strike as a “historic defensive step,” emphasizing that Iran had amassed enough uranium for nine nuclear warheads and was on the cusp of weaponization.

The operation also targeted Iran’s strategic assets: military bases and missile sites near Parchin, Khorramabad, and Hamadan were hit, reportedly killing six nuclear scientists, including Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, and top IRGC commanders Hossein Salami, Mohammad Bagheri, and Gholam-Ali Rashid.

🇮🇷 Iran Strikes Back — A New Phase of Retaliation

Iran responded swiftly. Within hours, more than 100 drones were launched toward Israeli territory, triggering nationwide alerts and air defense mobilization. A senior Iranian military spokesperson, Abolfazl Shekarchi, denounced the attack as an act of terrorism and vowed direct retaliation not only against Israel, but also the United States, which Tehran blames for enabling the attack.

In a televised statement, President Ebrahim Raisi declared:

“The Zionist regime will regret this cowardly assault. We will retaliate at a time and place of our choosing. This proves that Israel fears Iran’s scientific progress.”

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stern warning, labelling the strikes a “crime” and promising that Israel would face a “bitter and painful” fate. The government immediately declared a state of emergency, closed its airspace, and suspended flights.

🕊 Global Voices: Diplomats Call for Restraint

As tensions soared, international diplomats urged caution. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that the United States had no direct role in the strikes but emphasized protection of U.S. interests:

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran… Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”

Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed alarm and called for diplomacy:

“This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile… we urge dialogue and restraint.”

Similarly, New Zealand’s PM Christopher Luxon warned of miscalculation in the Middle East, urging both nations to pull back before the situation spirals further.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General António Guterres called for maximum restraint and noted the heightened global stakes. Meanwhile, Russia and China condemned the attack, arguing that it threatened regional stability and demanded adherence to international norms.

🔮 Strategic Fallout & Regional Implications

The strike has dealt a critical blow to Iran’s uranium enrichment program. With centrifuge halls destroyed and key personnel eliminated, Natanz could remain offline for years, significantly delaying Iran’s nuclear timetable. Israel, meanwhile, has signalled that further precision strikes remain possible until its “existential threat” is neutralized.

But Iran’s vow of revenge signals a worrying escalation. With proxy networks across Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, Tehran has many channels through which to respond. The drone launches demonstrated a capacity for direct retaliation, and observers warn of possible missile or cyberattacks in the coming weeks.

The timing was especially sensitive—Operation Rising Lion coincided with planned U.S.–Iran nuclear talks in Oman, now jeopardized due to the violence. The risk of broader conflict is real, and regional airspaces remain on alert. As the world braces, one question looms: will this strike prompt renewed diplomacy or ignite a wider war?

This is a pivotal moment—Israel has directly dismantled one of Iran’s nuclear pillars, and Iran has vowed revenge. What unfolds next will shape not just the future of uranium enrichment but the stability of the entire Middle East.

Report by TODAY SCOOP NEWS