Israel attacked Iran, eliminating several of the country’s top military officials and nuclear scientists. 

Israel launched an air strike against Iran’s top nuclear and military sites overnight from June 12 to 13. The Israeli Defense Forces announced the attacks killed Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Hossein Salami, IRCG Air Force Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, and the leader of Iran’s Emergency Command. According to the BBC, the strikes also killed other top military officials and nuclear scientists.

Videos circulated on X soon after the attack, apparently depicting the scene in Iran’s capital, Tehran.

Israel sent 200 fighter jets into Iran, striking targets like Tehran and the Natanz-area uranium enrichment site – the “largest uranium enrichment site in Iran.” The IDF said Iran was “nearing the point of no return in its race toward a nuclear weapon,” producing thousands of kilograms of enriched uranium in “fortified, underground sites.”

“This program has accelerated significantly in recent months, bringing the regime significantly closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon,” the IDF posted to X. “The State of Israel has been left with no choice. The IDF has the obligation to act in defense of the civilians of Israel and will continue to do so.”

Iran reportedly launched close to 100 drones toward Israel on the morning of June 13, and IDF Spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said Israel was “working to intercept the threats,” according to CBS. Israel was under a state of emergency.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said America was “not involved” in the strikes, in a statement soon after the attack.

“Israel took unilateral action against Iran,” Rubio wrote. “We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region.”

Israel advised American officials they thought the strikes were “necessary for its self-defense,” according to Rubio’s statement. Trump said earlier on June 12 that he was seeking diplomatic solutions to the situation.

“President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners,” Rubio wrote. “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”

Amid ongoing tensions in the region, with Israel’s war on Hamas and Iran’s hostility to the Jewish state, this could soon erupt into a wider conflict.