On June 13, the Middle East woke up to a different kind of war. In a daring move, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile bases, and top military figures. Among the key targets eliminated: Iran’s Army Chief, the IRGC head, and senior nuclear scientists.
What shocked the world even more was how precise and deeply coordinated the attack was—14 months of meticulous planning, intel gathering, and global positioning led to the strike.
Where It All Began: April 2024, The First Spark
According to The Jerusalem Post, the roots of this operation trace back to April 19, 2024, when Iran launched an unprecedented barrage of over 100 ballistic missiles, 170 drones, and dozens of cruise missiles at Israel. That moment marked a turning point—missiles crossed the skies, and diplomacy went silent.
Netanyahu’s Green Light: The Decision to Go All In
Sources claim that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the bold call to abandon limited retaliation in favor of crippling Iran’s strategic infrastructure. The turning point came in October 2024, when Iran launched a second wave of attacks. Israel’s response? “Enough waiting—strike hard and strike deep.”
Timing the Attack with U.S. Elections
Israel closely watched the U.S. presidential race. With Donald Trump returning to the White House, Israeli officials saw a strategic opportunity. Trump’s stance on Iran suggested stronger support, leading to more aggressive war planning from Israel.
Iran’s Proxy Shield: Cracked and Collapsing
Until 2024, Iran had the upper hand through its regional proxies—Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen. But a series of events over the past year weakened Iran’s external shield:
| Proxy Force | What Happened |
|---|---|
| Hamas | Severely weakened after repeated conflicts in Gaza |
| Hezbollah | Top leadership eliminated by Israeli strikes |
| Syria | Assad’s regime collapsed; pro-U.S. groups took power |
| Houthis (Yemen) | Bombarded by joint U.S.-Israel airstrikes |
The Houthi Threat Neutralized
Israel feared that in case of war with Iran, the Houthis would escalate missile strikes. That’s why joint air raids were launched to degrade their capabilities—especially after a ceasefire with Hezbollah was brokered in late 2024.
The Nuclear Alarm: IAEA’s Damning Report
Just as Israel was finalizing its assault plans, the IAEA released a report warning that Iran had enriched enough uranium for 10–15 nuclear warheads. This was the final push Israel needed to act. The conclusion: “Strike now, or risk a nuclear Iran tomorrow.”
Israel’s Fear of a Trump-Iran Deal
There was one wildcard left—Trump’s diplomacy. Rumors swirled about a backdoor nuclear deal between Washington and Tehran. Alarmed, Israel’s top intelligence officials including Mossad chief David Barnea and IDF General Shlomi Binder lobbied Trump’s team to hold the line. Their efforts paid off.
13 June: The Strike That Changed Everything
After 14 months of escalation, diplomacy, and battlefield strategy, Israel pulled the trigger. June 13 marked the beginning of a new kind of warfare in the Middle East—a campaign that could expand far beyond Iran’s borders.
What Comes Next?
With Iran’s proxies weakened and nuclear facilities hit, the region stands on the edge of either collapse or transformation. The question is no longer if the war will escalate—it’s how fast, how far, and who’s next.
Read More: 270 Fighter Jets, One Goal: Crushing Iran’s Missile Threat, 3 US Supercarriers Head for War?
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