Illustration by James Yang Major military operation Israel has ever conducted against Iran. They’re particularly focusing on these sites, such as nuclear sites and key military leaders. The offensive, codenamed “Rising Lion,” has kicked off amidst a backdrop of escalating war rhetoric between the two countries. Israeli leaders allege that the Islamic Republic has already begun the warhead development process.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ground incursion was aimed at “destroying” Hamas. He said it seeks to reverse what he describes as an existential threat to Israel’s survival. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) characterized the attack as a “pre-emptive, precise, combined offensive to strike Iran’s nuclear programme.” Netanyahu emphasized the depth of the assault by declaring, “We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme,” and “We struck at the heart of Iran’s ballistic missile programme.”
The military operation in truth aimed directly at Iran’s sole enrichment site in Natanz. It further opened a campaign to eliminate the few key scientists still working on the nuclear weapons program. OSSMI has substantiated explosions in a number of these areas, including Natanz and Tehran. Iranian state media reported the deaths of key figures in the attack, including Hossein Salami, the head of the Revolutionary Guard, and two prominent scientists: Fereydoun Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi. Abbasi is known as the former head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, who miraculously survived an assassination attempt in 2010. Tehranchi was noted as a theoretical physicist.
The offensive is to continue for “days upon days,” said Netanyahu. He stated that Iran’s violations in advancing their enrichment of fissile material—enough to build nine bombs—would not stand. Back to beef with the Iranian deal, Netanyahu also asserted that Tehran is employing diplomatic talks solely to “buy time” for its nuclear program.
The strikes had an immediate impact that resulted in tragic civilian casualties. Iranian state television reported that at least one of the incoming airstrikes killed nine children sheltered in a residential neighborhood of downtown Tehran. The continued escalation has led to fiery rhetoric from Iranian leaders. An Iranian security source stated, “The response to the Israeli attack will be harsh and decisive,” indicating that retaliatory measures are being considered at high levels within the Iranian government.
Time and again, Netanyahu lauded former U.S. President Donald Trump’s maximalist policy toward Iran. He claimed that the ongoing talks have undermined concrete steps toward achieving peace, beyond fulfilling immediate military goals. The comments underscore the escalating geopolitical tensions and varying approaches to curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The international community has been watching and continues to watch these historical developments with great interest. The risk of escalation is huge. Both sides are already preparing for deeper clashes over this extraordinary war action.