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Operation Rising Lion launched on June 13, 2025
Israel’s IAF and Mossad initiated a massive campaign dubbed Operation Rising Lion – targeting over 100 Iranian sites, including nuclear facilities in Natanz, Isfahan, Fordow, missile depots, and energy infrastructure
Covert drone base inside Iran
Mossad smuggled in explosive UAVs, set up a covert drone base near Tehran, and disabled air-defense systems, greatly aiding the airstrikes
Major infrastructure hit: South Pars gas field & oil depot
Israeli strikes ignited a blaze at the South Pars gas platform (Phase 14), suspending production of ~12 M m³/day. Separately, an oil depot near Tehran was also damaged.
High-ranking Iranian casualties
Several IRGC senior commanders including Hossein Salami, Mohammad Bagheri and key nuclear scientists were killed
Iran’s retaliation: missile & drone barrages
Iran responded with hundreds of missiles and drones, some breaching Israeli airspace and causing casualties and damage in Haifa, Tel Aviv, and central Israel
Netanyahu vows “Tehran will burn”
Israeli Defense Minister Katz and PM Netanyahu issued harsh warnings of continued strikes and regime change, telling Iran “Tehran will burn” if missile attacks persist.
Casualty report
Over 224 Iranian casualties reported by Iran’s HRANA; human rights groups estimate up to 400 deaths. In Israel, at least 14 killed, with hundreds injured.
Nuclear negotiations derailed
The strike disrupted U.S.–Iran nuclear talks, with diplomatic response complexities across regional and international fronts.
Operation Rising Lion marks a watershed moment in the Israel - Iran war: a high-stakes air and cyber campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear, military, and civilian infrastructure backed by covert Mossad operations. While Israel declares mission success, Iran’s deadly retaliation and global unease signal that this may be just the beginning of a deeper conflict.