The multi-year asymmetric shadow war between Israel and Iran has evolved into an open, direct conflict. Israel's code-named operation “The Rising Lion”, aimed at Iran's atomic program, triggered Tehran's immediate and massive response. The mediate East stood on the brink of full war, and the global community is horrifyingly observing an escalation spiral that can forever change the arrangement of forces in the region.
'A long night of attacks, with fears of more to come' https://t.co/UDFURIB8ca
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) June 14, 2025Thursday night on Friday she enrolled as 1 of the most restless in the fresh past of the mediate East. Emergency sirens echoed throughout Israel, from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, forcing residents to search refuge. This was Iran's consequence to the bold and precise attack that Israeli aviation had carried out a fewer hours earlier. More than 150 ballistic missiles and hundreds of Shahed-type drones flew towards Israel. Although Israeli anti-aircraft defense, supported by allies, captured most of the missiles, any managed to break through.
According to preliminary reports, over 70 people were injured in the attacks. Unfortunately, fatalities were besides reported – 1 female died as a consequence of the wounds, and 2 another people died in central Israel after a direct impact of the rocket. The demolition of buildings and infrastructure is significant, being a grim proof that even the most accurate defence strategy has its limits.
Hit for punch: An escalation that got out of control
It all began with the Israeli operation “The Risen Lion”. As Israeli Armed Forces (IDF) declared, its aim was to destruct Iran's atomic program and prevent Tehran from entering possession of atomic weapons. According to Israeli intelligence, Iran already had adequate enriched uranium to produce up to 15 heads in a fewer days.
The scale of the Israeli attack was unprecedented. Over 200 aircraft hit nearly a 100 targets in Iran's territory. Powerful explosions shook Tehran, and smokestorms floated over Mehrabad's capital airport. atomic centers in Natanz and Fordow, military bases and key elements of the ballistics program were attacked. The Iranian media study tragic losses: death was to be suffered by leading atomic scientists, as well as, which would be a shock to the regime, commander of the muslim Revolutionary defender Corps Hossein Salami and Chief of Staff Mohammed Bagheri. Iran's Ambassador to the UN reported at least 78 dead and 320 wounded as a consequence of Israeli raids.
Tehran's consequence was immediate and violent. Ajatollah Ali Chamenei announced retaliatory attacks, threatening that his country would "not be satisfied with half-measures". In response, Iran launched hundreds of Shahed drones and ballistic missiles that hit Neveatim and Tel Nof Air Bases and surrounding the IDF and Mossad headquarters. According to IRNA, the attacks were part of a "cruising response" to Israeli bombings.
New punches and extended scope of attacks
On Friday afternoon, Israel made further hits on Iran's air defence systems. According to Reuters' information, respective rocket and radar launchers were destroyed, which importantly reduced Iran's retaliatory capabilities. In addition, reports of a fire on 1 of the main gas deposits in Iran have been reported, which may indicate that the scope of IDF operations has been extended to include infrastructure objectives.
Great mediate East Game: Motives and Alliances
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to attack was the culmination of months of preparations. Final consent was due to collapse in November 2024 after the assassination of Hezbollah's leader, Hasan Nasrallah. Netanjahu described the operation as essential to prevent the "nuclear Holocaust" and to guarantee safety not only for Israel but besides for Europe and the US. On Friday afternoon, the Prime Minister stated that the raids would proceed “as long as necessary”, suggesting the anticipation of a direct attack on Tehran.
Diplomacy in reverse
The global community reacts with concern. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for deescalation: “Israeli bombing of Iranian atomic installations. Iranian rocket attacks on Tel Aviv. rather an escalation," wrote X. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE on the platform, condemning Israel's actions as "a threatening violation of Iran's sovereignty".
US talks with Iran, scheduled for June 15 in Oman, were officially cancelled. According to Oman state television, the next rounds are not scheduled for any time soon. Diplomacy has gone to the background, and control over the course of events is eluded by global institutions.
Region on the Edge
The situation remains dynamic and unpredictable. Iran is threatening further attacks, and Israel announces the continuation of the operation until the “total destruction” of the enemy's atomic program. For the first time in decades, the conflict between the 2 countries is no longer a conflict by intermediaries. This is an open war, the effects of which can resonate far beyond the region. Analysts inform that the current state can persist for weeks or even months, leading to an expanding destabilisation of the mediate East.
DF, thefad.pl Source: Reuters, The Guardian, AFP
