13 June 2025
In what appears to be a significant escalation in the ongoing shadow war between Iran and Israel, reports indicate that Tehran may have launched retaliatory attacks following Israel’s early morning air strikes, which reportedly killed several high-ranking Iranian military officials.
According to Israeli army spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin on Friday, Iran initiated drone and missile strikes after Israel’s massive pre-dawn assault on Iranian territory, involving an estimated 200 planes.
The Israeli offensive reportedly resulted in the assassination of key Iranian military figures, including Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Hossein Salami, and senior military strategist Gholam Ali Rashid.
The attacks also reportedly killed at least six top nuclear scientists.
Israel’s public broadcaster reports that the country has started intercepting drones over Syria, while Channel 12 says its air force is intercepting UAVs over Saudi Arabia.
Iranian drones intercepted in northern Israel: Report
Israel’s Channel 12 is reporting that the Iron Dome defence system has intercepted two Iranian drones in northern Israel.
It said a fire broke out in an open area in the occupied Golan Heights as a result of fragments of the drones in the area, and that firefighters are working at the scene.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz and Israeli Army radio report that it was a single drone that was intercepted.
