In a preemptive offensive named Operation Rising Lion, Israeli forces targeted multiple Iranian nuclear sites and military installations in Tehran and beyond, aiming to halt Iran’s near-weapons-grade uranium program
Netanyahu expresses solidarity with Iranian people against brutal dictatorship / Operation Rising LionTel Aviv, Israel (Times Media Service) – On June 13, 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a coordinated air and covert operation striking Iranian nuclear facilities and high-value military targets, marking its most extensive attack on Iran since the Iran-Iraq War and aiming to derail Tehran’s progress toward a nuclear weapon.
Background of Operation Rising Lion
In recent months, Israel has accused Iran of accelerating its uranium enrichment to near-weapons-grade levels, amassing sufficient material for at least nine nuclear warheads, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Diplomatic efforts led by the United States to renew the 2015 nuclear accord collapsed in May 2025 after Iran rejected stringent inspection measures. Facing what it described as an existential threat, Israel decided unilateral action was necessary to prevent Tehran from crossing the “red line” on weaponization.
Planning and Intelligence Preparation
According to Israeli military briefings, Mossad operatives infiltrated Iran months in advance to map underground facilities and disable air defenses from within.
Satellite and human intelligence pinpointed vulnerabilities at Natanz, Fordow, and a lesser-known enrichment site near Isfahan. Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Chief LTG Eyal Zamir stated that this preparatory phase was “the linchpin” enabling the air offensive to proceed with minimized risk to civilian populations.
Covert Operations and Mossad’s Role
Beyond aerial bombardment, Operation Rising Lion included secret sabotage missions conducted by Mossad commandos. These teams reportedly smuggled precision drones and electronic-warfare devices into Tehran, disabling radar installations and jamming Iranian communications in the hours before the strikes. One senior Israeli security official told Fox News that “Mossad’s covert wing was in position for weeks, ensuring our jets would face minimal pushback”.
Targeted Installations
Key targets included:
- Natanz Uranium Enrichment Facility: The heart of Iran’s centrifuge program, where black smoke was later observed billowing from hangars.
- Fordow Underground Plant: Hardened deep beneath a mountain near Qom, hit by specialized bunker-busting munitions.
- Isfahan Nuclear Complex: A secondary enrichment site, reportedly damaged in a follow-up raid.
- Residences of Senior IRGC Commanders: Including Major General Hossein Salami and Brig. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, both confirmed killed by Iranian state media.
Targets and Impact on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities
Iran acknowledged “significant damage” at Natanz and Fordow, with local reports indicating collapsed centrifuge halls and ruptured pipelines. Unofficial tallies suggest over 100 centrifuges were destroyed, potentially setting Iran’s enrichment timeline back by 12 to 18 months, according to Western analysts.
Damage to the Isfahan complex further disrupted R&D into advanced centrifuge models, a key step toward miniaturized warhead design.
Civilian and Collateral Effects
Although Israel asserted precision targeting, Tehran reported at least 78 civilian fatalities, including families near hit sites, and more than 300 injured.
Hospitals across Tehran were overwhelmed, treating burns and blast trauma, while emergency sirens forced residents into shelters for hours after the strikes.
Iran’s Swift Response
Within hours, Iran launched over 100 ballistic missiles and drones toward Israel, prompting nationwide air-raid alerts in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The IDF intercepted most incoming threats with Arrow and Iron Dome systems, but mortar shells triggered minor damage in northern communities. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the attack as “an act of brutal aggression” and vowed “severe revenge” against Israel and its Western backers.
Regional Ripple Effects
Gulf states, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, urged both sides to exercise restraint, fearing a wider Middle East conflagration. The United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency session, with Russia and China criticizing Israel’s preemptive raids as destabilizing while the U.S. stopped short of outright condemnation, calling only for de-escalation.
Regional and Global Reactions
- United States: President Donald Trump — currently the 47th president — urged diplomacy, stating “It’s not too late for Iran to come back to the table”.
- European Union: Condemned the escalation, warning that further strikes risk undermining international non-proliferation norms.
- United Kingdom and France: Jointly called for an immediate ceasefire and resumption of IAEA monitoring.
- Neighboring Arab States: Egypt and Jordan expressed alarm over regional stability, urging both Israel and Iran to “step back from the brink”.
Analysts warn that Iran could resume clandestine enrichment or accelerate missile development in retaliation, prolonging the 2024–2025 Iran–Israel conflict cycle. Israel has declared Operation Rising Lion will continue “for as many days as it takes” to eliminate the nuclear threat, signaling potential follow-on raids.
Meanwhile, back-channel talks between U.S. and Iranian negotiators may resume under international pressure, but trust has been severely damaged.
“We will not allow a regime threatening our very existence to gain a nuclear bomb,” Netanyahu declared in his midnight address, framing the strikes as a defensive necessity.
Amelia Evans / World News Contributor (Times Media Service)
World news contributor for Times Media Service, specializing in global politics, economics, culture, and lifestyles.
aevens@timesmediaservice.com
