Why did Israel Strike Iran now?

JERUSALEM, JUNE 13, 2025 — In a dramatic escalation, Israel launched large-scale airstrikes against Iran early Friday, targeting nuclear facilities, missile sites, and senior military leaders. Dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” the attack killed top Iranian commanders—including Revolutionary Guards chief Hossein Salami and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri—and six nuclear scientists, among them former atomic energy chief Fereydoon Abbasi.

Why Now?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the strikes a “necessary act of self-defense,” claiming intelligence revealed Iran had accelerated secret nuclear weapons development and ballistic missile production. “Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon,” Netanyahu stated “Moments ago, Israel launched Operation “Rising Lion”, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”

The timing appears linked to two critical factors:

1. Closing Window of Opportunity: Israeli military sources cited a “strategic window” to act before Iran’s nuclear advancements became irreversible. Recent intelligence indicated Iran was “racing toward a bomb” with reduced visibility into its progress.
2. Stalled Diplomacy: The attack came days before a sixth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks scheduled for June 15 in Oman. U.S. President Donald Trump had publicly urged Israel to avoid strikes, hoping for a diplomatic breakthrough.

Immediate Fallout

Iran retaliated by launching over 100 drones toward Israel, prompting airspace closures across the region. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei vowed “severe punishment,” while the UN and nations like Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Germany condemned Israel’s escalation. The U.S. distanced itself from the operation, with US President Donald Trump advocated for a diplomatic resolution on social media and Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating, “We were not involved,” but warning Iran against targeting American interests.

Broader Implications

Experts fear the strikes could trigger a regional war, with Iran’s proxies (like Hezbollah and the Houthis) poised to join the conflict. Global oil prices surged 4-5% amid concerns over disrupted shipping lanes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz.