June 23, 2025
Update: On Saturday night, the United States launched a massive strike on Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, in Operation Midnight Hammer—the largest B-2 bomber mission in U.S. history, involving over 125 aircraft. Gen. Dan Caine confirmed all intended targets were hit with severe damage, though full assessment is ongoing, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Iran’s nuclear ambitions were “obliterated.” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised President Trump’s leadership and confirmed the operation was carried out in full coordination with the IDF.
Israel’s war of self-defense against the Iranian regime - the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism - erupted into open conflict last week following the Iranian government's failure to reach a diplomatic understanding with the United States within the allotted 60-day period and a stunning IAEA report that confirmed that Iran was much closer to obtaining nuclear weapons than previously known.
On June 13, Israel took action against the Iranian regime's imminent nuclear threat by launching a series of targeted strikes on the regime’s nuclear, military, and other strategic assets. In addition to air strikes, Israel's Mossad stationed operatives on the ground to sabotage the terror-supporting nation’s air defense systems.
Israel’s successful surprise attack prompted the Iranian regime to repeatedly attack Israeli civilians with long-range ballistic missiles and waves of explosive drones. The regime has also spread misinformation to steer the narrative and stir sympathy for the Islamic Republic. Here are the facts.
Why did Israel attack Iran when it did?
Israel attacked when it did because Iran posed an immediate and existential threat. Iran’s nuclear program had reached a critical stage, with enrichment levels far beyond permitted limits, and international inspectors blocked from key sites. Israel acted to prevent Iran from crossing the point of no return toward a nuclear weapon.
In the year leading up to the strike, Israel had already weakened Iran’s regional power:
- Israeli operations severely degraded Hezbollah’s capabilities in Lebanon, reducing the threat on Israel’s northern border.
- Iran’s influence suffered another blow in December when Bashar al-Assad—Syria’s Iran-backed dictator—was overthrown by rebel forces, leaving Tehran more isolated.
Meanwhile, Iran escalated its nuclear ambitions. Since November, it has barred IAEA inspectors and accelerated enrichment—after years of failed diplomacy and repeated warnings. Combined with Iran’s direct missile and drone attacks on Israel and the expansion of its terror network, this left Israel with no choice but to act in defense of its people and to stop a nuclear-armed Iran before it was too late.
Does Israel expect the U.S. or other countries to join it in striking Iranian nuclear, military, or other strategic targets?
No. Through Operation Rising Lion, Israel’s goal is to prevent the imminent and existential threat of a nuclear Iran. It is up to the U.S. to decide whether it wants to be involved in offensive operations there—or anywhere. Israel has not requested that the U.S. or any other country do so. According to news reports, Israel did provide the U.S. with advance notice about its decision to take action to defend itself against the imminent nuclear threat from the Iranian regime.
AJC is calling on the U.S. administration to provide Israel with all the support it requires to eliminate the Iranian nuclear threat. AJC is also calling on the European Union to finally designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terror organization – which has urgent security implications for Israeli and Jewish sites in Europe. AJC is also encouraging all European countries that have not yet done so to proactively take steps to assure the security of Jewish communities and Israeli missions.
Why are we seeing so much destruction in Israel compared to the last time Iran directly attacked? Are Israel’s aerial defense systems not working?
The Iranian regime is attacking Israel’s most populated cities three to six times a day with multiple types of missiles and waves of drones. The primary interceptor, Arrow, and Israel’s other aerial defense systems are working – and are disrupting the regime’s attacks at the same rate as the April and October 2024 onslaught. But because the regime has shifted its target from Israel’s military infrastructure in low-population areas to the Jewish state’s most populated cities, and because the regime’s barrages include many more missiles and drones fired more damage has been inflicted, more people have been injured, and more lives have been lost.
It is important to note that Israel’s Arrow is part of a multifaceted defense system, including Iron Dome and David’s Sling, that integrates several advanced technologies to protect against threats ranging from short-range rockets to long-range ballistic missiles. While the system is highly effective, Iran has sought to overwhelm the system by firing scores of missiles at the same time.
Do all citizens of Israel, including Jews, Arabs, and Bedouins, receive the same safety alerts?
Yes. Israelis receive missile alerts through a multi-layered system that includes sirens, a smartphone app, and text messages. Home Front Command, which protects civilian lives by preparing citizens for emergencies such as conflicts or disasters, sends alerts in both Hebrew and Arabic as soon as Iran fires missiles toward Israel. Home Front Command has also been advertising on social media and in traditional media in a few languages, including Arabic.
Do all citizens of Israel have access to bomb shelters or safe rooms?
Yes. While many older buildings in Israel do not contain bomb shelters, public shelters are always available nearby. As a rule, Israel does not issue permits for new buildings if they don’t include a safe room or shelter. Still, some buildings in certain parts of Israel are built illegally and without proper shelter requirements.
Is Israel targeting civilians in Iran?
No. Israel is targeting nuclear scientists, senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders and terrorists, terror infrastructure, warehouses full of ammunition, bomb factories, and other strategic assets.
Israeli intelligence gathered data on hundreds of concealed targets all across Iran, including tunnels hidden under six-lane highways. When residential neighborhoods are targeted, detailed evacuation warnings in Farsi are issued. That is why images are emerging from Iran showing traffic jams as Iranians flee.
What is Israel’s goal? What does victory look like?
Through Operation Rising Lion, Israel’s goal is to prevent the imminent and existential threat of a nuclear Iran and to degrade its ability to threaten Israel and its allies with missiles and drones.
Iran has the largest inventory of ballistic missiles in the region. In addition to limiting its nuclear enrichment capabilities, victory means eliminating key ballistic missile launchers and forcing Iran back to the table where it agrees to abandon its nuclear ambitions.
How does the situation with Iran affect the effort to bring hostages out of Gaza?
All efforts continue to bring home the 50 remaining hostages in Gaza.
Over the past two weeks, the IDF recovered the bodies of Yair Yaakov, Aviv Atzili, Yonaton Samerano, Shay Levinson, and Ofra Keidar. May their memories be a blessing.
