Morning Brief: Israel Strikes Iran’s Capital, Kills Top Military Leaders in Major Escalation Over Nuclear Threat

Hello and welcome! Start your Friday with SOFREP’s Morning Brief, bringing you the top updates on defense and global affairs for June 13, 2025. Here’s a quick rundown on today’s headlines: Israel bombed Tehran, killing top Iranian generals and striking nuclear sites; Iran launched drones in response. The US denied involvement but warned regional personnel. Homeland Security is continuing LA immigration raids despite protests and court fights. The US Navy launched EMPLOY to retain non-deployable sailors. Canada’s Davie aims to buy Texas shipyards for US Arctic ship contracts. Air India’s 787 crash killed 241; one survivor. China and Hong Kong carried out their first joint national security raid ahead of the law’s anniversary.

—

Israel Strikes Iran’s Capital, Kills Top Military Leaders in Major Escalation Over Nuclear Threat

Israel launched a major preemptive strike on Iran early Friday, targeting nuclear and military sites in Tehran and killing two top Iranian military leaders, including Revolutionary Guard commander Gen. Hossein Salami and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammad Bagheri.

The operation marked Israel’s most significant assault on Iran since the Iran-Iraq War, escalating the risk of full-scale war between the two nations.

The Israeli military confirmed over 200 aircraft struck roughly 100 targets, including Iran’s main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, radar systems, and missile batteries. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) described the assault as a necessary measure to eliminate an imminent nuclear threat, with Prime Minister Netanyahu calling it a fight for national survival.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:
“Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival.

This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.” pic.twitter.com/3c8oF1GCYa

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025

Iran responded by launching over 100 drones toward Israel. Israeli officials claimed interceptions occurred outside Israeli airspace, while Iraq and Jordan reported intercepting drones and missiles that crossed their airspace. Israel, Iran, Iraq, and Jordan all shut down their airspace following the strikes.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “severe punishment” and confirmed the deaths of top officials and nuclear scientists. He accused Israel of targeting civilian areas. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed damage to Natanz and said it was monitoring radiation levels.

The US distanced itself from the operation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating the US was not involved. However, the Trump administration had earlier withdrawn diplomats from Iraq and warned personnel in the region to shelter in place.

Statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its… pic.twitter.com/5FFesh3dkF

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 13, 2025

Israel’s strike comes amid heightened nuclear tensions and a rare censure of Iran by the IAEA. While Iran insists it has no nuclear weapons program, it has expanded enrichment efforts, and the new conflict threatens to further destabilize the region.

Oil prices surged nearly 8%, and Israel’s main airport was closed as fears of retaliatory attacks grew. Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Israeli citizens to remain in protected areas, anticipating drone and missile strikes from Iran.

Netanyahu said the goal was to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and military command structure, but also expressed hope that the Iranian people would see the attack as a step toward ending their “brutal dictatorship.” The situation remains volatile as both nations brace for further escalations.

DHS Vows to Continue Immigration Raids Amid Unrest; Court Battle Erupts Over Military Use in California

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that federal immigration raids would continue despite escalating protests and legal challenges.

Noem described the enforcement effort in Los Angeles as a model for future operations, vowing that DHS agents and accompanying National Guard units “are not going away.”

Her comments came hours before a federal judge ordered President Trump to return control of California’s National Guard to the state, citing violations of the Tenth Amendment. The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily blocked the ruling, scheduling a hearing for Tuesday.

The order did not cover Marines, who are also being deployed to Los Angeles but had not yet entered the streets.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, who requested the emergency stop, criticized the federal troop deployments as an overreach and praised the now-blocked court order as a defense of democratic norms. Newsom pledged to return state troops to their original duties.

The military presence in LA includes 2,000 Guard troops, with 2,000 more and 700 Marines en route. About 500 of those troops are trained to assist in immigration operations. The Trump administration has indicated it may deploy troops to additional cities.

Our message to illegal aliens is clear: LEAVE NOW. The U.S. taxpayer is generously offering those in the country illegally $1,000 and a free flight home through the CBP Home app.

Self-deportation is the best, safest and most cost effective way to leave the United States to avoid… pic.twitter.com/P0iTx18TTu

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) June 12, 2025

Since the weekend, over 470 protesters have been arrested in Los Angeles, mostly for violating curfews. DHS officers used flash bangs to disperse crowds near a federal detention center, while demonstrations across downtown remained largely peaceful.

Tensions flared at a press conference when Senator Alex Padilla was forcibly removed after interrupting Noem to question the aggressive enforcement actions. He later claimed he was handcuffed but not arrested, warning that if officials silence a senator, the treatment of vulnerable immigrant communities could be far worse.

Governors in other states, including Texas, are preparing for potential troop deployments. Democratic governors have condemned Trump’s actions as an abuse of power, while unrest and clashes with police continue to spread nationwide.

US Navy Launches EMPLOY Program to Retain Non-Deployable Sailors and Fill Shore Gaps

The US Navy has launched a new initiative, the EMPLOY program, aimed at retaining non-deployable sailors by placing them in at-shore billets while preserving their skills and experience.

The program, announced in a recent NAVADMIN, is a joint effort between the Chief of Naval Personnel and the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.

EMPLOY targets clinically stable sailors who are unable to deploy but can still perform duties ashore. Eligible sailors are nominated by medical providers and must be approved by a medical evaluation board. Once accepted, they are assigned to two-year funded billets without competing with sea-duty sailors rotating to shore.

As of this week, 303 sailors are in EMPLOY, with 850 under consideration and roughly 20 new nominations each week.

The program applies to sailors of all ranks and provides a path for some to convert into new designators or eventually return to full duty. EMPLOY also aims to reduce reliance on the Navy’s lengthy Disability Evaluation System and improve overall quality of life and service retention.

The program, which began as a pilot, reflects a broader shift in the Navy’s approach to personnel management.

Rear Adm. Wayne Baze emphasized in an interview with USNI News in December that the initiative recognizes service members as critical assets and aims to treat them accordingly by offering support and career continuity.

Canadian Shipbuilder Davie Eyes Texas Yard to Compete for US Arctic Icebreaker Contracts

Montreal-based Davie Shipbuilding announced plans to acquire Gulf Copper & Manufacturing Corporation, which operates shipyard facilities in Port Arthur and Galveston, Texas.

The move positions Davie to compete for major US contracts, including the US Coast Guard’s Arctic Security Cutter program.

The acquisition aligns with Davie’s icebreaker experience, including its recent contract to build a Polar-class icebreaker for the Canadian Coast Guard and its 2023 purchase of Finland’s Helsinki Shipyard.

Davie emphasized its participation in the US-Canada-Finland icebreaker technology pact and stated that owning an American shipyard would uniquely position it to deliver icebreakers “at speed, scale, and competitive cost.”

The $1 billion upgrade plan for the Texas facilities could create up to 2,000 jobs. Gulf Copper CEO Steve Hale said the acquisition would mark a revival of complex shipbuilding in the region.

Davie’s expansion comes as the US prioritizes Arctic capabilities. The Coast Guard recently issued a request for Arctic Security Cutter designs, with requirements including three-foot icebreaking capability, 6,500 nautical mile range, and helicopter support. The pending Senate reconciliation bill allocates $14.6 billion for cutter programs, including $5.03 billion for Arctic Security Cutters.

US President Trump has backed aggressive icebreaker procurement and suggested cooperation with Finland, further aligning with Davie’s strategic positioning.

Air India Crash Kills 241; Only One Survivor as Investigators Probe Disaster

An Air India Boeing 787 crashed minutes after takeoff in Ahmedabad on Thursday, killing 241 people on board and several on the ground in one of India’s deadliest aviation disasters.

The London-bound flight struck a medical college hostel in a densely populated residential area and burst into flames, killing students and injuring dozens.

DNA testing is underway to identify charred bodies, and investigators have yet to recover the flight’s black boxes. India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is leading the probe, joined by the US National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing, and GE.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the crash site and met with the sole survivor, Viswashkumar Ramesh, who escaped with burns and injuries. Ramesh recalled the plane struggling to lift off, hitting a building, and breaking open, allowing him to crawl out.

Modi, whose home state is Gujarat, called the tragedy “devastating” and met with victims’ families and hospital staff treating the injured. Four medical students were confirmed dead, and over 30 others remain hospitalized, with several in critical condition.

Visited the crash site in Ahmedabad today. The scene of devastation is saddening. Met officials and teams working tirelessly in the aftermath. Our thoughts remain with those who lost their loved ones in this unimaginable tragedy. pic.twitter.com/R7PPGGo6Lj

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 13, 2025

This marks the first fatal crash of a Boeing 787 in its 16 years of operation. Air India, recently privatized under Tata Sons, had been modernizing its fleet and operations. The crash has renewed scrutiny of Boeing, which has faced multiple safety controversies in recent years.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and destruction, with residents rushing to rescue survivors from burning wreckage. The death toll is expected to rise as recovery efforts continue.

China and Hong Kong Launch First Joint National Security Operation, Target Six for Alleged Collusion

China’s national security office and Hong Kong police conducted their first publicly confirmed joint operation this week, raiding the homes of six individuals suspected of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security.

Authorities executed the raids under the 2020 Beijing-imposed national security law, which has been used to prosecute dozens of activists since its enactment.

Police did not name the suspects or the organization involved but confirmed that homes and an office were searched, with items like bank records and electronic devices seized. The six individuals were ordered to surrender their travel documents. Beijing’s security arm also requested support from Hong Kong police, including help conducting interviews.

Beijing’s national security office in Hong Kong carried out its first known joint operation with city officials, marking an expansion of China’s direct law enforcement in the financial hub https://t.co/3Lr6AMPUaR

— Bloomberg (@business) June 13, 2025

The operation comes amid increased national security activity ahead of the fifth anniversary of the law. Last week, jailed activist Joshua Wong was hit with a second charge under the law, this time for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, carrying a possible life sentence.

In May, Hong Kong enacted new subsidiary rules requiring local public servants to assist Beijing’s security office in national security cases. Authorities also recently targeted a mobile game app they claim promoted armed revolution and secession.

Beijing and Hong Kong officials continue to justify the crackdown as essential for restoring stability after the 2019 protests, despite growing international concern over civil liberties in the city.

Sources: News Agencies, USNI News