Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion," a series of airstrikes against Iran on June 12, 2025, targeting military and civilian sites. The attacks, widely condemned as illegal under the UN Charter, have resulted in hundreds of civilian casualties. Iran responded with ballistic missile attacks. The legality of Israel's actions is highly contested; Israel claims self-defense against an imminent threat, a claim rejected by legal experts who argue that no imminent attack existed. The UN Security Council did not authorize the strikes. The situation continues to escalate, with potential US involvement under consideration.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.