Israel stunned global observers by launching attacks from inside Iran itself, targeting missile launchers, radars, and nuclear facilities in a daring intelligence-led campaign.
At a Glance
- Mossad established a covert drone base inside Iran, launching strikes under “Operation Rising Lion”
- Targets included air defense systems, missile launchers, and key military and nuclear facilities
- High-ranking Iranian commanders were killed in precision strikes following staged meetings
- Israel says the attacks were necessary to stop Iran from achieving nuclear capability
- Iran calls it a “declaration of war” as global tensions escalate
Mossad’s Masterstroke: Launching From Within Iran
In an unprecedented act of military audacity, Israel launched precision drone and airstrikes against Iranian missile and nuclear infrastructure—operating from a secret base inside Iran itself. As part of “Operation Rising Lion,” Mossad infiltrated Iranian territory and established a covert drone launch hub, catching Tehran’s defense network completely off guard.
Watch a report: Footage of Israel’s covert drone attack.
More than 200 Israeli aircraft targeted around 100 strategic sites including the Natanz nuclear facility, radar arrays, and missile launchers. Israeli special forces manipulated Iranian commanders into attending key meetings—only to target those meetings with airstrikes, eliminating top officials including IRGC commanders Hossein Salami and Mohammad Bagheri.
Iran’s Rage and Israel’s Resolve
Iran has declared the operation a “declaration of war”, vowing harsh retaliation. The Islamic Republic responded by firing over 100 drones toward Israel, which were largely intercepted by the Israeli Air Force. Despite the scale of the response, Israeli leadership remains defiant.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the operation unequivocally: “If we don’t act now, we simply won’t be here,” he said. “When the enemy develops the capabilities to destroy you—stop him.” That sentiment was echoed by security officials, who described the mission as “groundbreaking” and “existential.”
Watch a report: Iran vows retaliation after Israeli strikes.
Global Reactions and Strategic Fallout
The United States was reportedly informed of the operation in advance, although it has not publicly endorsed or condemned it. Analysts warn that Israel’s use of covert operations on Iranian soil could escalate tensions across the Middle East. Iran’s Supreme Leader has hinted at broader regional retaliation, while Israel remains on high alert.
The Hudson Institute described the operation as “a model of strategic clarity in a fog of Western uncertainty,” emphasizing the divide between nations taking decisive action and those locked in diplomatic gridlock.
As Western nations call for restraint and Tehran threatens a wider war, Israel’s preemptive strike has already altered the strategic map of the region—demonstrating what modern warfare, powered by intelligence and precision, looks like in an age of existential threats.
