On June 13, 2025, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a daring series of airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, escalating tensions in the Middle East to unprecedented levels. Spearheaded by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Mossad, the operation aimed to neutralize what Israel calls an existential threat: Iran’s advancing nuclear program. Here’s a concise breakdown of this high-stakes conflict.
The Trigger: The operation followed a critical resolution by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on June 12, 2025, censuring Iran for breaching non-proliferation obligations—the first such rebuke in 20 years. Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium, nearing weapons-grade levels, and plans for a new enrichment facility at Fordow heightened fears. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing intelligence that Iran could produce a nuclear bomb within months, declared the strikes a preemptive necessity to ensure Israel’s survival.
The Strikes: Starting at 3:00 a.m. local time, Israeli F-35I Adir jets, operating in stealth mode, hit key targets, including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, the Arak heavy water reactor, and military sites in Tehran, Khorramabad, and Kermanshah. The operation also eliminated high-profile figures, such as IRGC commander Hossein Salami, Armed Forces Chief Mohammad Bagheri, and nuclear scientists Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi. Mossad’s covert sabotage missions, including drone bases and commando operations, amplified the assault’s impact.
Iran’s Response: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the strikes as a “crime,” vowing severe retaliation. Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel, though U.S. and U.K. forces intercepted many. Tehran’s airspace was closed, and oil prices surged amid fears of escalation.
Global Reactions: The U.S., while denying involvement, confirmed prior notification and urged restraint. Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz reaffirmed Israel’s right to self-defense but called for de-escalation. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Russia condemned the strikes, while the UN urged both sides to avoid further conflict.
Why Now? Israel’s timing aligns with Iran’s weakened regional position—its proxies, like Hezbollah and Hamas, have been degraded since 2023. Coupled with stalled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and Iran’s aggressive nuclear advancements, Israel seized the moment to disrupt Tehran’s capabilities.
What’s Next? Operation Rising Lion is ongoing, with Netanyahu vowing to continue until the Iranian threat is neutralized. The strikes have exposed Iran’s vulnerabilities but risk a broader regional war. As Iran prepares its counteroffensive, the world watches nervously, aware that this conflict could reshape Middle Eastern geopolitics.
This audacious operation underscores Israel’s resolve to counter Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but the path ahead is fraught with danger. Will diplomacy prevail, or is the region on the brink of a wider war? Stay tuned as this crisis unfolds
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