“Operation Rising Lion”: Israel’s Precision Decapitation Strike Against Iran’s Regime

June 12, 2025 — Israel has launched a bold and highly coordinated military campaign against Iran, officially titled Operation Rising Lion, targeting the upper echelons of Iran’s military and nuclear leadership in what observers are calling a decapitation strike strategy. The campaign marks a historic shift in Israeli defense posture—escalating from covert operations to an open, large-scale, and high-precision offensive that seeks to permanently disable Iran’s ability to threaten the Jewish state.

Strategic Objectives of Operation Rising Lion

1. Decapitation of Regime Leadership

The campaign opened with the assassination of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Hossein Salami in Tehran, marking one of the most audacious targeted killings since Qassem Soleimani in 2020. Israel confirmed this as part of a broader plan to disrupt Iranian military decision-making and sow confusion within its command hierarchy.
📎 Wall Street Journal – Netanyahu confirms Rising Lion and Salami's death

2. Neutralization of Nuclear Capability

Dozens of Israeli warplanes and drones struck Iran’s key nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Arak. While Israel avoided publicly claiming full destruction, intelligence reports indicate substantial damage to uranium enrichment centrifuges and weapons development labs.
📎 Business Insider – Israel targets nuclear infrastructure

3. Precision Without Provocation

Despite the scale, Israel has stressed that Operation Rising Lion is a “targeted and precise” response designed to avoid civilian casualties and prevent regional war. This mirrors past Mossad-style surgical hits—but now executed overtly and at scale.
📎 The Guardian – Live updates: Strategic restraint

Tactical Elements

• Airstrikes & F‑35 Penetration Raids: Israeli stealth aircraft reportedly entered Iranian airspace undetected using electronic warfare capabilities.

• Covert Ops Support: Analysts believe Mossad played a role in marking high-value targets ahead of the campaign.

• Cyber Components: Multiple Iranian military and nuclear sites suffered simultaneous system failures, indicating probable Israeli cyber interference.

Political Messaging and Deterrence

Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that “Operation Rising Lion will last as many days as it takes”, underscoring an open-ended commitment to neutralize Iran’s offensive capabilities.
📎 WSJ – Netanyahu declares campaign timeline

This campaign also serves a diplomatic purpose: to send a message to Tehran’s proxies—Hezbollah, Hamas, and militias in Syria and Iraq—that Israel is willing and able to strike with impunity, even deep in enemy territory.

Global Response and Risk Factors

• U.S. Position: Washington has officially denied any involvement but has increased troop readiness in the region.
  📎 AP News – U.S. cautions restraint

• Iran’s Threat of Retaliation: Iran has vowed a “painful response,” and proxy skirmishes have already begun along the Lebanese border and in the Red Sea. US will likely stand with Israel and defend them from Iranian retaliation.

• UN and EU Reactions: European leaders are calling for de-escalation, while the UN Security Council has scheduled an emergency session.

Conclusion: A High-Risk, High-Precision Gamble

Operation Rising Lion represents Israel’s most assertive military action since the Yom Kippur War, strategically targeting Iran’s nuclear and leadership structures while minimizing civilian damage. It signals a new era in Middle Eastern power dynamics—where Israel moves from reactive defense to proactive decapitation strikes designed to reshape the threat landscape.

As the world watches, the success—or fallout—of Rising Lion may redefine deterrence in the nuclear age.

Comprehensive update summarizing what we’ve learned since yesterday (June 12–13, 2025) about Operation Rising Lion:

Major Developments & New Details

1. Expanded Wave of Strikes

• Overnight, Israel launched multiple waves—over 200 fighter jets struck more than 100 targets across Iran, including underground nuclear sites (e.g., Natanz, Fordow), missile and radar installations, military bases in Tehran, Tabriz, Esfahan, Shiraz, and Hamadan .

• Covert Mossad actions reportedly disabled air-defense systems to allow for deeper penetration.

2. Top Commanders and Scientists Eliminated

• Iran confirmed the deaths of IRGC chief Hossein Salami, Army Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, and commander Ghulam Ali Rashid—alongside prominent nuclear scientists like Fereydoun Abbasi-Davani and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi.

• Some reports suggest Amir Ali Hajizadeh (IRGC Aerospace Force commander) may also have been killed in a targeted command bunker strike.

3. Civilian & Infrastructural Damage

• Iranian state media report civilian casualties in Tehran’s residential areas near Fordow. The IAEA confirmed no rise in radiation levels at Natanz or Bushehr.

• Explosions shook military bases and neighborhoods in major cities, including Tabriz, Isfahan, Khondab, Khorramabad, and Parchin.

4. Iranian Retaliation Averted (So Far)

• Iran launched over 100 Shahed-type drones aimed at Israel and regional allies, many intercepted over Jordan, Saudi airspace, and Israel.

• No confirmed ballistic missile salvos yet, though Israel remains at high alert and its airspace is closed .

5. Regional & International Reactions

• Israel declared a state of emergency, mobilizing tens of thousands of reservists and ordering civil defense precautions .

• U.S. officials (Trump, Rubio) stated the U.S. wasn't directly involved but is prepared diplomatically and militarily to defend its forces .

• Major oil indexes surged (~7–11%) amid global tension.

• Diplomatic pressure grows: UN Security Council convened; EU, UK, France, Germany, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, New Zealand, Australia and others urge restraint.

6. Strategic Implications

• Netanyahu warned the operation will persist “as many days as it takes” until Iran's nuclear threat is neutralized.

• Analysts speculate Israel aims to cripple Iran’s military-industrial infrastructure and sow regime instability, potentially catalyzing internal unrest.

References:

1. Borger, J., & Graham-Harrison, E. (2025, June 13). Further airstrikes reported in Iran as Trump says ‘we knew everything’ about Israeli attacks – live. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2025/jun/13/israel-iran-strikes-defence-minister-tehran-middle-east-live

2. Berg, M. (2025, June 13). Israel strikes Iran: What to know about Operation Rising Lion. TIME. https://time.com/7293795/israel-strikes-iran-attack-what-to-know/

3. WELT News Staff. (2025, June 13). Iran bestätigt Tod des Generalstabschefs – Atomanlage angegriffen – Israel verhängt Ausnahmezustand. WELT. https://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article256246328/Eskalation-in-Nahost-Iran-bestaetigt-Tod-des-Generalstabschefs-Atomanlage-angegriffen-Israel-verhaengt-Ausnahmezustand-Liveticker.html

4. WSJ Staff. (2025, June 13). Netanyahu says Rising Lion operation will last as long as necessary. The Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-iran-strike-conflict/card/netanyahu-says-rising-lion-operation-will-last-as-many-days-as-it-takes--awFq7ykuEj4Mq9D4i0gw

5. Business Insider News. (2025, June 13). Israel warplanes strike deep into Iran, targeting nuclear program. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-warplanes-struck-iran-targeting-its-nuclear-program-2025-6

6. Associated Press. (2025, June 13). The Latest: Iran drone barrage intercepted, UN calls for restraint. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/baa59e6be9612c12ff2dc2a480830279

7. IAEA. (2025, June 13). Statement on radiation levels following strikes in Iran. International Atomic Energy Agency. https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/statements