Israel has launched a bold and deadly attack on Iran, targeting top commanders and nuclear facilities under the code name Operation Rising Lion. As tensions skyrocket, Iran has retaliated with drone strikes, sparking fears of all-out war in the region. Here’s what you need to know about this rapidly unfolding crisis.
What Is Operation Rising Lion?
Israel’s Operation Rising Lion was a surprise pre-emptive strike launched shortly after 1am UK time. The operation aimed at neutralizing Iran’s nuclear capabilities and military leadership. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the mission will continue “until the threat is removed.”
The focus keyphrase Operation Rising Lion signifies one of the most aggressive Israeli military operations in recent years.
Why Did Israel Strike Now?
Tensions have been building for months. The UN’s nuclear watchdog warned this week that Iran is violating its nuclear commitments for the first time in 20 years.
Israel and the U.S. fear Iran is racing toward a nuclear weapon. Prime Minister Netanyahu claimed that Iran has enough enriched uranium for nine atomic bombs.
Iran insists its nuclear efforts are for peaceful energy purposes. Yet, Israeli intelligence suggests otherwise, prompting this calculated offensive.
Who Were the Targets of Operation Rising Lion?
The Israeli strikes were surgical and devastating. Iran’s military elite and key scientists were directly hit:
- Hossein Salami – Commander of the Revolutionary Guard
- Mohammad Hossein Bagheri – Iran’s top-ranking military official
- Gholam Ali Rashid – Head of Iran’s emergency command
- Amir Ali Hajizadeh – Missile program chief
- Six nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi and Dr. Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi
These assassinations dealt a massive blow to Iran’s nuclear and military structure.
Was Iran’s Nuclear Facility Hit?
Yes. Israel targeted the Natanz nuclear site in Isfahan Province, a core part of Iran’s uranium enrichment efforts.
An Israeli military spokesperson confirmed that the underground facility and other key infrastructure were “significantly harmed.”
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is monitoring radiation levels but has reported no rise so far.
How Is Iran Responding?
Iran launched over 100 retaliatory drones toward Israel. The Israeli military reported no pilot casualties and remains on high alert.
Airspace in Israel and across the Middle East was closed. Flights were delayed or canceled in multiple countries, including Iraq, Jordan, and Dubai.
Israel has called up tens of thousands of reservists to protect its borders, preparing for further retaliation.
What Happens Next?
The region is on the brink. Sunday’s planned nuclear talks in Oman between the U.S. and Iran may determine whether diplomacy can still work.
But with so many key Iranian leaders now gone, a peaceful resolution seems uncertain. Israel says it will not stop until the nuclear threat is eliminated.
