100 Iranian Aircraft Respond to 330 Israeli Bombs

The Israeli military, Tzahal, announced that Iranian drones were heading towards Israel on Friday morning (13/6/2025). Tzahal spokesperson, Effie Defrin, stated that Tzahal is working to intercept the drones. Some of the drones were reported to have been shot down outside of Israel. The exact location where the drones were downed was not specified.

It is not yet known how many unmanned aerial vehicles were sent by Iran to Israel. It is also unclear how long it took for the aircraft to reach Israel.

Meanwhile, Jordan, one of the Arab countries that recognizes Israel's sovereignty, announced the closure of its airspace. The announcement was made a few hours after all Israeli aircraft were reported to have returned from attacking Iran.

The air route between Israel and Iran must pass through Jordan. Several United States bases operate in Jordan. Amman argues that it does not want its airspace to become a battleground.

In April 2024, Jordan shot down several Iranian drones and missiles directed at Israel. Meanwhile, Israeli aircraft attacking Iran were able to fly over Jordan. This decision was strongly condemned by the Jordanian public.

The Iranian aircraft was flown less than five hours after Israel attacked Iran. The fatalities from the attack included the Commander and Chief of Staff of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Major General Hossein Salemi, and Major General Mohammed Bagheri. Bagheri is the Chief of Staff of the IRGC.

Former Head of Iran's National Security Council Ali Shamkhani was also reported killed in the attack. He was one of the main advisors to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Israeli attack also resulted in the deaths of Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi. They were senior scientists in Iran's nuclear development. Abbasi had previously served as the Head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization, while Tehranchi was the rector of Azad Islamic University.

They were the target of at least 330 bombs directed by Israel at Iran. Defrin stated that the attack early Friday morning involved at least 200 fighter jets.

In its written statement, the Embassy of Iran in Jakarta described the attack as a clear violation of Article 2 Paragraph 4 of the Charter of the United Nations. The attack is an overt aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Iran has the legal and legitimate right to defend itself. "The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond with all their strength at a time and in a manner deemed appropriate to uphold the honor and sovereignty of the nation," the statement continued.

The Islamic Republic of Iran has called upon all member states of the PBB—especially countries in the region, Islamic countries, members of the Non-Aligned Movement, and all nations concerned with international peace and security—to promptly condemn this criminal aggression. "Taking urgent joint action to confront this dangerous adventure, which undoubtedly poses a serious and unprecedented threat to world peace and security," the statement continued.

American media, Axios, reported that US President Donald Trump knew the attack would be launched. In fact, Trump's subordinates were informed by Israel before Israeli planes detonated bombs in Iran.

Several media outlets from Israel and the United States reported that Israel informed of the attack before the attacking aircraft detonated bombs in Israel. Meanwhile, the official stance of the United States was conveyed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio less than two hours after the bombs began exploding in Iran.

Israeli media outlets The Jerusalem Post and Channel 12 reported that Israel has been keeping the US updated on its plans, with US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee regularly receiving reports.

According to The Jerusalem Post, US and Israeli officials are working together to mislead Iran. They are deliberately creating the impression that the US does not support an attack on Iran. "I doubt that Israel would do this (attack Iran) without the approval of the Trump administration," said Matt Kroenig, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC, noting that it would be very strange if the US did not support the attack at all.

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also stated that it is unlikely Israel would dare to attack without assistance from the United States. "It cannot happen without coordination and approval from the U.S. Thus, the U.S. government, as a supporter of the regime (Israel), is also responsible for the dangerous consequences of this reckless escalation," stated the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The statement was made after Foreign Minister Rubio issued a written statement regarding the attack by Israel. "Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in the attack on Iran, and our priority is to protect US forces in the region," he stated.

The Director of Defense and Foreign Policy at the Cato Institute, Justin Logan, stated that Israel is deliberately dragging the United States into danger. Israel has placed the United States in a position where it is impossible not to be involved in this war.

According to The Jerusalem Post, there was a massive deception effort against Iran before the attack began. This included the announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he was sending David Barnea and Ron Dermer to Washington DC. The reason was to discuss plans for further US-Iran negotiations in Oman. Barnea is the Director of Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence agency, while Dermer serves as the US Secretary of Strategic Affairs.

Since March, US President Donald Trump has reportedly placed Dermer on a list of individuals prohibited from direct communication with Trump. Alongside Netanyahu, Dermer is considered manipulative by Trump.

Dermer and Barnea are among the very few individuals who are aware of the detailed plans for the early Friday morning attack on Israel. They, along with Netanyahu and members of the Israeli cabinet, approved the attack on Thursday night.

The invitation circulated for the meeting was to discuss the release of hostages in Gaza. Once in the meeting room located within the bunker, Netanyahu informed about the planned attack on Israel. All members of the Israeli cabinet agreed.

Israeli media, Channel 12, reported that Netanyahu gave Trump 60 days to reach an agreement regarding Iran's nuclear program. The deadline ends on Thursday (12/6/2025). (AP/AFP/REUTERS)