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Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & NatSec newsletter

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Defense &
National Security

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The Big Story

Israel’s unprecedented strikes on Iran

Israel pummeled Iran overnight Thursday, launching its largest-ever military operation against its regional rival and upending President Trump’s push for a nuclear deal.

The U.S. quickly sought to distance itself from the strikes, which killed Iran’s top military leaders and targeted key nuclear facilities, but administration officials were reportedly briefed on the plans ahead of time.

Trump blamed Iran for the attack, arguing its leaders failed to quickly strike an agreement to wind down its nuclear program.

“There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Iran must make a deal.”

Earlier this week, Iran said it would target U.S. bases in the Middle East if “a conflict is imposed on us,” a move that could trigger a direct U.S. response inside Iran or against its proxies across the Middle East.

The U.S. would also face immense pressure to come to Israel’s defense in an escalating conflict.

Israel targeted Iran’s nuclear sites and took out several top military personnel, dealing a devastating blow to the Islamic Republic’s fighting force.

Israel was able to kill Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Cmdr. Hossein Salami, one of the most powerful military figures in the country, and Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, the commander-in-chief of Iran’s military.

The Israeli military also took out Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGC’s air force, and Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, the deputy commander-in-chief of Iran’s armed forces.

The strikes prompted Iran to hit back at Israel with heavy bombardment Friday, firing dozens of ballistic missiles at Tel Aviv, Israeli officials said.

Explosions could be heard throughout Tel Aviv. There have been at least seven hits on the ground in the city, a source told The Hill’s sister network NewsNation.

Read the full report at TheHill.com.

Welcome to The Hill’s Defense & National Security newsletter, I’m Ellen Mitchell — your guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond.

Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.

Essential Reads

How policy will affect defense and national security now and in
the future:

US helps Israel shoot down barrage of Iranian missiles

WASHINGTON (AP) — American air defense systems and a Navy destroyer helped Israel shoot down incoming ballistic missiles Friday that Tehran launched in response to Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities and top military leaders, U.S. officials said. The U.S. has both ground-based Patriot missile defense systems and Terminal High Altitude Air Defense systems in the Middle East capable of intercepting ballistic missiles, …

Full Story

Tucker Carlson: Trump ‘complicit’ in Israel’s strikes on Iran

Political pundit Tucker Carlson criticized President Trump on Friday, saying he is “complicit” in Israel’s attack on Iran and warning the escalating conflict between the two nations could lead the U.S. into war. Carlson, as part of his morning newsletter, said Trump was “complicit in the act of war,” noting the U.S. long-standing alliance with Israel, which attacked several military targets in …

Full Story

Israel comes under heavy fire from Iran

Israel is coming under a heavy bombardment Friday from Iran after the massive attacks overnight on Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. Dozens of ballistic missiles have been fired on Tel Aviv, Israeli officials said Friday amid Iran’s counterattack. Explosions could be heard throughout Tel Aviv. There have been at least seven hits on the ground in the city, a source told The Hill’s sister network NewsNation. Millions …

Full Story

How to watch military parade on Trump’s birthday

The massive military parade to mark the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary will roll through Washington, D.C., Saturday — coinciding with President Trump’s 79th birthday. The parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. local time, following a daylong festival on the National Mall. Organizers have predicted the parade will last about 90 minutes. Rain and thunderstorms are in the forecast for the nation’s capital Saturday, …

Full Story

On Our Radar

Upcoming things we’re watching on our beat:

President Trump will speak at the Grand Military Parade and Celebration honoring the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army on Saturday, June 14

In Other News

Branch out with a different read from The Hill:

Noem attends ICE raid at California home

Cameras inside the home captured the heavily armed ICE agents going through the residence room by room, all while Sec. Noem, donning a bulletproof vest and ballcap, watched from the street.

Full Story

On Tap Monday

Events in and around the defense world:

The Center for Strategic and International Studies will hold a talk on “Korea-Japan Relations: What to expect?” at 9:30 a.m.
The Council on Foreign Relations will host a conversation on “Strategic Crossroads: NATO’s Agenda for the Hague Summit,” at 6 p.m.

What We’re Reading

News we’ve flagged from other outlets:

How Trump got the military parade he’s always wanted (CNN)
The Marines are in Los Angeles (Military.com)
US helps Israel shoot down barrage of Iranian missiles (The Associated Press)

Trending Today

Two key stories on The Hill right now:

Republicans lay groundwork for ‘total tax cliff’ at end of Trump’s term

Congressional Republicans are laying the groundwork for a tax cliff at the end of President Trump’s term in office. While the conference is pushing … Read more

Newsom becomes a fighter, and Democrats beyond California are cheering

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is meeting the moment, Democrats say. Amid the growing storm over the Trump administration’s response to protests … Read more