The first wave of retaliation from Tehran, following Israel’s morning attack on Iran, was intercepted in Jordanian airspace.

According to CNN, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Effie Defrin stated that Iran had launched over 100 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) toward Israeli territory. It can take up to seven hours for such drones to travel from Iran to Israel.

Defrin remarked, “All [air] defense systems are working to intercept the threats. This is a different kind of event from what we have experienced before, and we expect difficult hours ahead. We must show resilience and patience.”

Around 9:30 AM in Tel Aviv (9:30 AM TRT), an IDF official informed the press that the Israeli military had begun shooting down the Iranian drones.

Approximately two hours later, the IDF announced it had “brought the situation under control,” though it did not specify whether all the drones had been downed, according to Times of Israel correspondent Emanuel Fabian.

Jordanian Air Force jets and air defense systems shot down several missiles and drones that entered Jordanian airspace on Friday morning, as reported by the state news agency, Petra.

Citing a military source from the General Command of the Jordanian Armed Forces, Petra reported that Royal Jordanian Air Force aircraft were on “high alert” to protect the country’s airspace and ensure the safety of the nation and its citizens.

The source added that the interception operation was based on military assessments indicating a high probability that the missiles and drones could fall on Jordanian territory and populated areas, potentially causing loss of life.

According to the report, the Jordanian Armed Forces declared they would not permit any violation of the country’s airspace under any circumstances.

Following Israel’s attack on Iran, both Jordan and Iraq announced the closure of their airspace and the suspension of all flights.

Last year, the United Kingdom took action to protect Israel during Iran’s retaliatory strike. However, uncertainty surrounds whether a similar move was made this time, despite claims to the contrary. During that previous incident, the US, the United Kingdom, France, and Jordan worked together to thwart Iran’s retaliation.

British ministers and officials convened on Friday morning to determine their response. Sources familiar with the meetings, who spoke to The Guardian, initially indicated that a decision was made early in the morning for the UK not to assist in downing the drones or intervene militarily. However, they later stated that “this decision was not yet clear.”

A senior Israeli official has revealed that the US and Israel engaged in a joint operation to deceive Iran ahead of attacks on its nuclear program.

According to the official, who spoke to The Jerusalem Post (JP), the nuclear negotiations scheduled for Sunday were part of a deception tactic used against Iran.

Early Friday morning, Iranian state television announced that the country would not participate in the nuclear talks with the US scheduled for Sunday, or in any negotiations until further notice.

Israeli officials were concerned that statements made by US President Donald Trump on the evening of June 12, which hinted that Israel “could attack,” had alerted the Iranians.

This statement, made around 7:00 PM Israel time just hours before the attacks, was perceived as a green light for Israel.

Fears that this announcement could expose the attack operation prompted Trump to tweet at midnight, stating, “The US is seeking a diplomatic solution.”

Israel’s nighttime attacks on Iran resulted in the deaths of numerous soldiers, nuclear scientists, and civilians, including the Iranian Chief of General Staff and a commander of the Revolutionary Guards.

In a statement following the attack, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed that the US “did not participate” in Israel’s strike, asserting that Israel had attacked Iran unilaterally.

President Donald Trump, however, threatened Iran against any retaliation.

Israel launched a comprehensive air operation early this morning, targeting Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile program. In the operation, codenamed “Rising Lion,” Israeli warplanes struck nuclear and military facilities in strategic cities such as Tehran, Tabriz, the Natanz nuclear facility in Isfahan, Lorestan, Kermanshah, and Hamedan. High-ranking Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists were killed in the attacks.

This attack is considered the most serious military intervention Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s. The development has brought the two long-confronting countries to the brink of an all-out war.

It was reported that many people were killed and wounded in the attacks, where some residential buildings in Tehran were also hit. The Subashi Radar Center, crucial to Iran’s radar infrastructure, military barracks in Kermanshah, and the Khosravi Border Crossing were among the points struck. A military base in Lorestan, five separate targets in Tabriz, and the Natanz Uranium Enrichment Facility were also focal points of the attack.

According to the Israeli press, the first wave of the operation targeted air defense systems, surface-to-surface missile batteries, and military command centers such as the Iranian General Staff Headquarters. Speaking to CNN, journalist Barak Ravid reported that Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, also conducted covert sabotage operations against Iran’s air defense infrastructure concurrently with the attacks.

Israel claims that Iran currently possesses enough enriched uranium to produce 15 nuclear bombs.

Netanyahu: Our future is in jeopardy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the legitimacy of the attack, stating, “If we do not act now, we will have no future.” Netanyahu noted that Iran plans to produce 20,000 ballistic missiles within the next six years, emphasizing that these missiles could reach Israel in minutes.

Israeli Army Spokesperson Major General Effie Defrin announced that approximately 200 fighter jets participated in the attack, striking about 100 targets. As the operation continued, it was reported that Iran sent more than 100 unmanned aerial vehicles to Israel, and Israeli air defense systems were activated.

Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan have temporarily closed their airspace to flights. A state of emergency has been declared in the country.

High-ranking commanders and scientists killed

Iranian state television confirmed that Revolutionary Guards Commander Major General Hossein Salami and Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri were killed in the attacks. The Tasnim News Agency reported that nuclear scientists Fereydoon Abbasi, Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, Abdolhamid Monouchehr, Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, Amir Hossein Faghihi, and Motlabizadeh also lost their lives.

Retaliation from Iran

As the operation continued, it was reported that Iran sent more than 100 unmanned aerial vehicles toward Israel, and Israeli air defense systems were activated. The Israeli military warned the public to remain in shelters and follow civil defense instructions. Israeli Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir said, “This operation has been planned for a long time. I cannot guarantee absolute success. Iran’s reaction may be different from what we are used to.”

Numerous airlines are moving their passenger aircraft out of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Israeli airlines El Al, Israir, and Arkia announced they have moved their planes out of the country. According to Flightradar24 data, some of Israir’s planes have flown to Southern Cyprus, while El Al’s aircraft have headed to airports in Europe. Many airlines are also canceling flights in the region.

A source from AJet, a subsidiary of Turkish Airlines, told Reuters that flights to Iran, Iraq, and Jordan have been canceled until Monday.

Khamenei: This regime will face a heavy punishment

Following the attack, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated, “The Zionist regime committed a crime on our soil this morning, targeting residential areas. This regime will face a severe punishment.” He added, “The martyred commanders and scientists will be replaced by their comrades and successors. This regime has hastened its own end.”

Iran: The US is also responsible

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also held the US responsible for Israel’s attacks. In a statement, the ministry said, “The Zionist regime’s aggressive actions against Iran could not have been carried out without the coordination and permission of the US.” The statement continued: “The US will also be responsible for the consequences of this adventure.”

The statement also emphasized that Iran reserves its right to legitimate self-defense under the relevant articles of the UN Charter.

US: We were not involved in the attack

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement regarding the attack, said, “Israel informed us that this operation was necessary for self-defense purposes. However, the US did not participate in this attack.” Rubio added that the US’s priority is the protection of American forces in the region.

The US had evacuated some of its diplomats from Baghdad before the attack and offered military personnel’s families in the region the option of voluntary evacuation.

Israel’s military capacity strained

According to the Times of Israel, the operation pushed the Israeli army’s logistical capabilities to their limits. Aging aerial tankers were used to reach Iran. While it remains unclear whether Israeli planes entered Iranian airspace directly, it is assessed that the attacks may have been carried out with long-range “standoff” missiles launched from other countries. Eyewitnesses in Iraq reported hearing the sound of jets during the attack.

Timing debate in the shadow of Gaza

The operation was carried out while the Gaza war, which has been ongoing for 20 months in Israel and has been met with public backlash, continues. According to the Times of Israel, experts suggest Netanyahu may have chosen this timing for the attack to divert attention from Gaza. Despite this, the threat from Iran is widely perceived as real by the Israeli public. Even opposition leader Yair Lapid, who had submitted a motion to the Knesset to topple Netanyahu’s government just yesterday, gave Netanyahu his “full support.” However, public opinion could change rapidly if an Iranian retaliation leads to increased casualties or disrupts daily life.

Indeed, Netanyahu stated, “There is no such thing as a free war,” suggesting that Israelis may need to stay in shelters longer than they are accustomed to.

Attack was anticipated

The possibility of an Israeli strike on Iran, citing its nuclear activities, had been discussed for weeks. A day before the attack, US President Donald Trump had stated, “Such an attack seems very likely.” When the strike began, the US Embassy in Israel instructed all American personnel to “remain in place.”

Meanwhile, the US National Security Council is set to convene under President Trump’s leadership. It is not yet known whether Trump will make a public statement regarding the attack.

Oil prices rise

Oil prices surged by more than 7% following Israel’s attack on Iran after last evening’s close. As of 04:10 Turkish time, the price of a barrel of Brent crude rose by 7.40% to $74.49. In the same minutes, a barrel of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil climbed by 7.86% to $73.39.