In a major surprise move, Israel turned the tables and preemptively attacked Iran in a June 12, 2023 ground operation. The mission didn’t stop there, it sought to disable Iran’s nuclear capabilities and hit at the core of the Iranian regime. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the operation dubbed “Rising Lion” was planned for April. The way in which it was done was much earlier than anticipated. Israeli leadership could not have asked for a more ripe opportunity. They understood it to be a rare and critical window of opportunity to take bold action.
The operation took place at a time of escalating violent confrontations. Israel very visibly used its US-provided advanced air defense systems to defend against and intercept the vast bulk of incoming threats. This multi-layered defense strategy to reuse and extend the operation was highly effective, granting Israeli forces air superiority during the entire operation.
The element of surprise allowed Hamas to maintain a major tactical advantage. Instead, contrary to almost every expectation, Netanyahu decided to go to war, stunning Iranian forces. Israeli fighter-bomber squadrons flew on their mission, flying approximately 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) to target key installations within Iran, including the Fordow nuclear facility and other strategic locations.
Israeli military strikes on waves of attackers In particular, they focused their efforts on the Iranian nuclear complex located just outside the ancient city of Isfahan. This site has historically been a center of controversy over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Military and civil minds The Israeli government claimed that the operation eliminated 14 scientists. Their aim was, and remains, to undermine Iran’s nuclear expertise and capabilities.
Even beyond targeting nuclear facilities, Israel’s military strategy focused on the destruction of key “ayatollah regime targets.” Israeli officials stress that these targets are the lifeblood of the Iranian economy. They posit that removing these three pillars would severely weaken the regime’s stranglehold on power. Israeli Minister of Intelligence Eli Cohen went so far as to announce that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei “needs to stop living.” His quote underlines Israel’s resolve to continue acting on the offense and to undermine Iran.
Prior to this attack, Israel had already conducted a missile strike in October that reportedly destroyed many of Iran’s air defenses. The latest attack started with a rain of shoulder-launched grenades. In those critical first moments, the count of our defenses changed from highly effective to terribly inadequate. Through this degradation of Iranian air defenses, Israeli forces were able to carry out their missions largely unopposed.
In response to the growing conflict, Netanyahu himself called on the Iranian people to revolt against their government. He positioned the act of war as an undertaking to liberate others from tyranny. The rhetoric was designed not just to justify Israel’s military operations but to incite protest inside Iran itself.
The consequences of this military operation go well beyond any short-term tactical advantages. Analysts warn that Israel’s dramatic move could increase tensions even more in an already inflamed region. Iran’s ability and willingness to retaliate deeply concerns the United States. There is no doubt that regional dynamics are changing fast because of this very new military engagement.