TIran Israel war day 1 marked the explosive beginning of a conflict that has captured the world’s attention. On the morning of June 13, 2025, Israel launched a surprise airstrike targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, triggering an immediate and deadly retaliation from Tehran. What began as a preemptive military move quickly escalated into a full-scale confrontation with global implications. Civilian and military casualties mounted on both sides, oil markets reacted violently, and global leaders scrambled to respond to what could become the most dangerous conflict in the Middle East in years.
Day 1 of the conflict did not just mark a turning point in Middle Eastern relations—it sent shockwaves around the world.
Iran Israel War Day 1: A Sudden Strike That Changed Everything
Just before sunrise, around 6:30 a.m. local time, the Israeli Air Force launched a series of coordinated airstrikes on more than 100 strategic locations throughout Iran. Dubbed Operation Rising Lion, the mission appeared to be a well-planned preemptive strike aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear program and neutralizing its ability to respond.
The scale and precision of the attack were staggering. Israeli jets flew undetected through Iranian airspace, reportedly with support from drone surveillance and electronic warfare. Their targets were not random: nuclear enrichment sites, air defense systems, missile bases, radar stations, and military command centers were all hit with high-precision guided bombs.
Notable targets included:
- Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant near Qom
- Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center
- Missile launch sites in Kermanshah and Tabriz
- IRGC airbases and command posts
According to Israeli officials, the strikes aimed to send a clear message: Israel would not allow Iran to become a nuclear-armed state under any circumstances.
Mossad’s Role Behind Enemy Lines
What stunned military analysts worldwide was the covert role of Mossad, Israel’s legendary intelligence agency, in orchestrating the prelude to the airstrikes. According to multiple reports, Mossad had secretly infiltrated Iran weeks in advance, embedding operatives and building a clandestine drone base deep inside Iranian territory.
From this hidden stronghold, Mossad agents launched a series of precision drone attacks and sabotage missions, disabling radar systems, jamming communication lines, and crippling key missile defenses. This bold hybrid strategy—blending old-school espionage with cutting-edge warfare—cleared the skies for Israel’s jets to enter Iran undetected and strike with pinpoint accuracy.
The sheer scale and sophistication of this covert campaign revealed just how far Israel was willing to go to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear program.
Iran’s Immediate Reaction: Missiles in the Sky
Iran didn’t stay silent for long. By 9:00 p.m. local time, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched Operation True Promise 3, a large-scale retaliatory strike targeting Israeli military infrastructure, energy sites, and cities. Missiles and drones crossed into Israeli airspace, some intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome and David’s Sling defense systems—but not all.
Cities such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Be’er Sheva were placed on high alert. Sirens wailed across neighborhoods, urging civilians into bomb shelters. Some missiles struck near populated areas, causing damage and panic among residents.
Initial casualty reports from Israel included:
- 13 confirmed deaths, including 3 soldiers and 10 civilians
- Over 200 injured, many critically
- Infrastructure damage in central and northern Israel
Inside Iran: The Human Cost of the First Strike
The Iranian government confirmed that Israel’s initial strikes had caused widespread devastation. Several of Iran’s most significant nuclear and military installations were hit, and high-ranking officials in the IRGC were among the dead.
By midnight, Iranian state media reported:
- At least 80 deaths, including 20 children and women caught in residential spillovers
- Over 800 wounded
- Fires at oil depots near Tehran and Bushehr, affecting energy supplies
Hospitals in Tehran and Isfahan were overwhelmed, and the Iranian Red Crescent Society dispatched emergency teams to multiple provinces.
International Reaction: A Divided World
The world responded quickly—but not unanimously.
United States: Full Support for Israel
Former U.S. President Donald Trump backed Israel’s decision, calling it “a necessary strike to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran.” In a televised statement, Trump warned Iran that further retaliation would only escalate the conflict and that “diplomacy is still on the table—if Iran is willing to walk back from the edge.”
Russia: Condemns Israel’s Aggression
In sharp contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin denounced the Israeli strikes, calling them “an act of war.” Putin urged the United Nations to convene an emergency session and warned that regional instability could threaten global security.
China and EU: Cautious Appeals for Peace
China and the European Union released joint statements urging both countries to de-escalate and return to diplomatic talks. However, with Iran canceling scheduled negotiations in Oman, those calls were largely ignored.
Airports Shut, Borders Tighten
As the fighting escalated, both countries began locking down. Israel shut its airspace and closed Ben Gurion International Airport, stranding thousands of travelers. Iran halted oil exports temporarily and moved military reserves closer to the Gulf.
Global markets reacted instantly:
- Crude oil prices spiked by over 10%
- Stock markets across Asia and Europe opened lower the next day
- Airlines began rerouting flights to avoid the Middle East entirely
Why Did Israel Strike First?
Many analysts argue that Israel’s decision to strike first was motivated by both security fears and intelligence breakthroughs.
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, intelligence reports indicated that Iran was within “weeks, not months” of assembling nuclear warheads. Israel claims that negotiations had failed to slow Iran’s ambitions and that preemptive military action was the only remaining option.
Yet critics say the strike may have made the region more dangerous. Even moderate voices within Israel warned that “a wider war” might follow, drawing in countries like Lebanon, Syria, and potentially even the Gulf States.
The World Holds Its Breath
The first day of war between Iran and Israel shocked the international community—not just because of the bloodshed, but because of the sheer speed and scale of the escalation.
From the streets of Tehran to the beaches of Tel Aviv, ordinary citizens were thrown into the chaos of war. Families fled to shelters, parents tried to calm their children, and both sides prepared for more fighting.
Meanwhile, leaders from Washington to Brussels to Beijing scrambled to prevent the conflict from spiraling into something far more catastrophic.
What Comes Next?
Day 1 was just the beginning. The strikes and counterstrikes revealed that neither Iran nor Israel is willing to back down easily. With thousands of troops on high alert and strategic assets mobilized across the region, the potential for a prolonged and deadly war remains high.
Peace talks—if they happen—may take weeks to organize. In the meantime, the Middle East faces one of its most dangerous chapters in decades.
The world is watching. The question now is: who will take the first step back from the brink?
Conclusion: The Price of Power
The first 24 hours of the Iran–Israel war were a stark reminder of how quickly diplomacy can give way to devastation. In a world already dealing with global instability, economic uncertainty, and shifting alliances, this new conflict has raised the stakes dramatically.
As missiles fly and civilians suffer, the urgency of peace has never been clearer.
