Operation Rising Lion – Israel Waging War Against Iran

Introduction

The Middle Eastern region has long been commanded by fierce competition between Iran and Israel. Such a contest is profoundly based on political, religious, and ideological disagreements. Israel serves as a major ally of the US in the region. In contrast, Iran, with support from the “Axis of Resistance,” has always rejected and challenged the ever-increasing atrocities of the Zionist regime. The pre-1970s period was dominated by Western influence, and Iran (under the Shah) was the most important US ally. The US enjoyed its monopoly over Middle Eastern oil supplies for a very long time. But, post-1979 revolution, regional equations were fundamentally changed. With the takeover of office, Ruhollah Khomeini assumed the role of the first Supreme Leader of Iran and established a theocratic system of governance for the future. 

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After 1979, Iranian foreign policy saw a total paradigm shift from being West-oriented to pronouncing the US and, specifically, Israel as its principal enemies and as threats to national security and sovereignty. Khomeini had called the US “Great Satan” and Israel “Little Satan,” which indicates his animosity towards the West and the regime of Zionists. According to the vision of Khomeini, the Iranian establishment—the IRGC and the present administration under the rule of Supreme Leader Syed Ali Khamenei—has established a strong and solid position to counter the Western monopoly and genocidal actions of Israel against Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen, etc. Both Iran and Israel have been engaged in conflicts and skirmishes for quite some time, whether traditional or non-traditional.

Historical Perspective 

a. Operation Orchards (2007)

On September 6th, 2007, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) carried out a very advanced operation code named “Operation Orchards” or “Operation Outside the Box” against Syria’s nuclear projects at Al-Kibar. Even though the attack was in Syria, it was a larger initiative with Iranian and North Korean officials and material support involved. Precision-guided strikes were carried out by Israel using its stealth F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft. This action was intended to remove the danger of strategic deterrence diversified by Iran and its surrogates against Israel in the region.

b. Operation Olympic Games (2007-2010)

Operation Olympic Games was a secretive cyberattack operation initiated by the US and Israel against Iran’s nuclear progress. This operation was carried out by Israeli cyber espionage Unit-8200. Initially, a digital attack was launched with the help of “Stuxnet Worm,” an alternate name for a virus that could sabotage uranium centrifuges. The operation aimed to carry out cyberattacks on the Natanz nuclear enrichment plant in Iran. Consequentially, around 1000 Iranian centrifuges were damaged and sabotaged.

c. Operation House of Cards (2018)

An Israeli offensive operation was launched against Iranian military installations in the southernmost parts of Syria. The operation also intended to retaliate against Iranian missile strikes against Israel after the Syrian Civil War. Operation House of Cards was carried out by the Israeli Air Force (IAF), successfully destroying Iranian military units, storage, and control facilities in Syria. Consequently, military personnel of the IRGC were successfully targeted and eliminated.

d. Operation Secret Archive (2018)

This is a secret operation carried out by Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad following the accomplishment of the US-Iran Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement. Operation Secret Archive aimed to obtain strong evidence of Iran’s enrichment of uranium beyond JCPOA limits. In January 2018, Mossad secretly infiltrated a nuclear archive building in the Shorabad district of Tehran and found extremely confidential documents and CDs that uncovered Iran’s secret nuclear program called Project Amad to develop a minimum of five nuclear warheads without falling under the authorities of the IAEA. Israel revealed this confidential nuclear weapons’ project to the global scene.

e. Operation Days of Repentance (2024) 

Israel carried out Operation Days of Repentance in retaliation for Iran’s Operation True Promise II against Israel on October 1st, 2024. Its primary objective was to eliminate Iran’s missile firing capability. Israel launched around 100 aircraft, destroying major military and storage points in Iran, like the S-300 air defense systems. Through this operation, Iranian military personnel were eliminated, and Parchin and Khojir weapon sites in Iran were successfully hit.

Operation Rising Lion (2025)  

On June 13th, 2025, Israel carried out its direct military action on Iran, calling it “Operation Rising Lion.” Since President Donald Trump has opened nuclear talks with Iran, Israel believes this would only provide them with more time to develop nuclear weapons. A final attack must be made. Recently, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports stated Iran has achieved 60% uranium enrichment and can produce nine raw bombs.

Consequently, the Israeli Air Force launched heavy attacks on Iran’s major military and nuclear establishments and sabotage operations within Iran, killing top brass of Iran’s military leadership and nuclear experts.

During his recent press conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially announced the launch of Operation Rising Lion against Iran with the exclusive intent to destroy the Iranian nuclear facilities and proliferation threat to the national security and existence of Israel.

Placing nuclear bomb preparation charges on Iran, Netanyahu said the operation initiated will go on for days until and unless this threat is uprooted from the region. Regarding the Israeli aggression and violation of Iran’s sovereignty, Supreme Leader Syed Ali Khamenei commented that Israel would be punished very severely. He also stated, “Through this crime, the Zionist regime has set for itself a bitter, painful destiny, which it will certainly witness.”

Operation “Rising Lion” : A Biblical Connection 

In ancient biblical history, the term “Lion of Judah” always denotes strength, power, and God’s blessing. Judah was one of the 12 sons of Jacob and, therefore, triumphed in founding the tribe of Judah (the lineage of Jesus, as well as King David). “Judah is a lion’s cub… like a lion he crouches and lies down; like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?” (Genesis: 49:9). 

The name of the operation, Rising Lion, explicates the insurrection of strength and courage. In Torah, it is written, “Lo, the people will rise and be as a lioness, And as a lion he lifts himself: He shall not lay down until he eats of the prey, And drinks the blood of the slain. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?” These passages reflect the concept of Israel standing up like a lion in a fight.

Mossad’s Covert Operation 

Under Operation Rising Lion, Mossad commandos have been stationed deep within Iran for the last 8 months with a motive to establish a drone base close to Iran’s defense installations. The primary motive behind the secret operation is to disrupt Iran’s defense mechanism so that Israeli aircraft can fly into Iranian airspace unopposed. Mossad has employed spies within Iran to assist in successfully targeting military officials and nuclear experts.

Role of the US

Early on, Trump and his government disclaimed any role in the Israeli attacks on Iran. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “We are not involved in strikes against Iran. Let me make it clear: Iran must not target US interests or personnel.”

Subsequently, President Trump revealed the reality on his social media platform, saying, “Iran was given many chances to make a deal. I told them firmly to ‘just do it’, but they did not. I told them it would be worse than anything they could imagine. The US produces the finest, deadliest weapons—Israel has lots of them, and others are on their way. Iran now needs to act in order to save what is left of its empire.” 

The remarks provided by President Trump clearly illustrate his madman mindset, attempting to put pressure on Iran with military belligerence to get it to sit around the table and agree to demands. Further, the US military is relocating its assets, like ships, in the Middle East due to Israel’s attacks against Iran and a potential retaliatory Iranian attack. The USS Thomas Hudner destroyer has been sent towards the Eastern Mediterranean. 

Implications for Iran 

1. If tensions escalate, Iran can employ its Shahab series of ballistic missiles with a range of approximately 2000 km and easily reach Israel. 
2. An upgraded version and a new type of Shahab missile, Emad, a medium-range precision-guided weapon with a range of approximately 1700 km. 
3. Ghadr 110 is an upgraded version of Shahab with a range of approximately 2000 km. 
4. Sejjil-2 is a guided missile with a 2200 km range. Its interception is extremely challenging. 
5. Khorramshahr is a multiple warhead (MIRV) missile with an approximate 2000 km range and could carry 1800 kg of warheads and penetrate Israel’s missile defense system. 
6. Iran also boasts of having developed the Fatah-1 and Fatah-2 missiles, which are hypersonic. 
7. Iran can also strike Israel through its regional proxies using a huge missile and drone barrage to punch through Israel’s defense system.

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