Israel's unprecedented attacks on Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure mark a deliberate escalation aimed at degrading both Iran's nuclear capabilities and leadership command, likely triggering sustained retaliation, regional instability and the collapse of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in the near term. In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched extensive attacks on Iranian targets, involving around 200 aircraft and 330 munitions hitting approximately 100 sites across Iran. The offensive, announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a multiday operation to neutralize what he called an existential threat, focused on critical nuclear infrastructure, including the Natanz, Khondab, Khorramabad, and Tehran-area enrichment facilities. Strikes also targeted military assets -- such as missile factories, air-defense systems and command centers -- as well as residential neighborhoods housing senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) leaders. Among those reportedly killed were IRGC Commander-in-Chief Gen. Hossein Salami, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, and prominent...
