Israel launched a wave of airstrikes on Iran early on Friday, saying it targeted nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders in what it called the start of a sustained operation aimed at preventing Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon, the Reuters news agency reported.
In retaliation, Iran launched about 100 drones toward Israeli territory, the Israeli military said.
Polish army ready to aid evacuation if needed: defence minister
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz said Polish soldiers stationed in the Middle East remained safe amid the escalation.
He added, however, that the army was ready to assist in evacuating Polish citizens from the region if necessary.
Speaking to private broadcaster RMF FM, Kosiniak-Kamysz said he had received no reports from the Polish military contingent in Lebanon, stationed near the Golan Heights, indicating that "something extraordinary is happening."
Another Polish contingent is stationed in Turkey, Kosiniak-Kamysz noted, telling RMF FM that, aside from "the natural increase in the defence of its borders and airspace by Turkey, we have not seen any other movements."
"Our priority, of course, is the safety of our soldiers in both contingents," he said, announcing plans to speak with Turkish officials about the crisis.
'Our diplomatic mission and its staff are safe': FM
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said in a social media post that Polish diplomats in Tehran were also safe amid the crisis.
"I have just spoken with Marcin Wilczek, our ambassador in Tehran. Our diplomatic mission and its staff are safe," Sikorski said in a social media post.
Polish intelligence 'closely monitoring' situation: interior minister
Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak wrote on X that "Polish intelligence services, in close cooperation with our allies, are closely monitoring Israel's recent military actions against Iranian nuclear installations — primarily from the standpoint of Poland’s security interests and Polish citizens residing in the Middle East."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement that his country had "launched Operation Rising Lion," describing it as a targeted effort to roll back what he called "the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival."
A residential building hit by an Israeli air strike against Iran on Friday, June 13, 2025. Photo: EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
"This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat," Netanyahu said, according to Reuters.
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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters