| This graphic image compares Iran's Fordo nuclear facility before and after the US bombed the site on June 20, 2025. (AP Graphic) How the air force essentially telescoped its 1,800-kilometer flights to the point where Iran simply did not know it was coming is a story yet to be told. But the fact is that Iran was caught unawares and thrown off-kilter in the first vital hours. All of Israel was awoken by screeching alarms on every cellphone as the attack began in the early hours of June 13, and Home Front Command spokespeople popped up on national television to tell the country that something was about to happen, including a potential "significant attack from the east." Trained to remain calm and focused in even the most horrifying circumstances, the spokespeople indeed seemed relatively calm, but it was evident that they had no real idea of what was unfolding in Iran and what could happen in Israel. The IDF had assessed that Iran would try to fire 300-500 missiles in its initial response to an Israeli attack, and that it was possible it could launch as many as 300 in the first 15 minutes. In the event, it fired none for 18 hours The IDF had assessed that Iran would try to fire 300-500 missiles in its initial response to an Israeli attack, and that it was possible it could launch as many as 300 in the first 15 minutes. That's why the order was given to alert the entire country. Israelis had to be warned, without being told precisely what about. No wonder the Home Front spokespeople exuded a certain bafflement. In the event, Iran managed to fire precisely no missiles in the first 18 hours after Israel's strike. It had known Israel was coming, but it did not know Israel was coming that night. Israel attacked just before 3 a.m.; Iran fired its first two missile barrages, of some 50 missiles each, shortly after 9 p.m | 
