In the early hours of June 13, 2025, Israel struck with an unprecedented attack on Iran, an operation that has kept the world in suspense and is codenamed Operation Rising Lion. Using more than 200 fighter jets, including F-35s, and a web of covert drone attacks, Israel targeted nuclear facilities such as Natanz and Fordow, military bases, and key members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Behind this precision strike, however, lies an invisible force: the Mossad, Israel's intelligence service, which, with years of infiltration and unparalleled espionage, prepared the way for an operation that shook the balance of power in the Middle EastA Masterpiece of
Preparation
Operation Rising Lion, named after a biblical verse (Numbers 23:24: "The people will rise up like a lion"), was not an impulsive attack, but the result of years of planning. According to Israeli security sources, as reported by The Times of Israel and Reuters, Mossad played a central role by setting up secret bases in Iran, smuggling weapons, and positioning drones to attack anti-aircraft defenses. This operation combined conventional warfare with sophisticated cyber and psychological tactics, a trademark of Israel's shadow war against Iran.
Sources confirm that Mossad had been gathering intelligence on Iranian nuclear facilities and military routines for years. By infiltrating Iranian communications systems and placing precision weapons near strategic targets, such as anti-aircraft systems, Israel was able to expose weaknesses. A source close to the Israeli government, quoted by The Jerusalem Post, stated, "This was not an airstrike alone; this was a symphony of intelligence, technology and courage." The minimal Israeli losses - no fighters were lost - underscore the precision and real-time intelligence that was only possible through Mossad's network inside Iran.
Targeted Attacks and Chaos in Tehran
The attack targeted not only infrastructure, but also key figures. Multiple sources, including Al Jazeera and CNN, confirm that Hossein Salami, commander of the IRGC, was killed in a targeted airstrike on a secret command post in Tehran. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, was also killed, dealing a severe blow to Iran's military leadership. However, reports on the status of Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of Iran's air force, are conflicting; some Western analysts claim he is seriously injured, but this remains unconfirmed by official channels.
Uncertainty about Iran's leadership is fueling chaos in Tehran, a tactic Israel has used successfully before, as in the liquidation of nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in 2020. By circulating conflicting reports, Israel reinforces the impression of a regime in crisis, a psychological blow that Foreign Policy analysts say is as powerful as the physical attacks.
Cyberwar and Psychological Battle
In addition to physical attacks, Israel used sophisticated cyber warfare. Sources report that Mossad operatives sabotaged Iranian air defense systems, possibly through electronic manipulation, as previously seen in the Stuxnet attack on Iran's nuclear program in 2010. During Operation Rising Lion, Iranian radars and communications networks were temporarily disabled, allowing Israel's F-35s to operate unimpeded. This cyber offensive, combined with drone attacks from within Iran itself, demonstrates the depth of Israel's intelligence operations. The psychological impact cannot be underestimated. By taking out high-ranking figures and sowing uncertainty, Israel is forcing Iran into a defensive position. "Every hour that Tehran remains silent, the impression of weakness grows," said one analyst in The Guardian. This strategy recalls the infamous pager attack on Hezbollah in 2024, in which explosives in communications equipment caused chaos - an operation also attributed to Mossad.
International Responses and Escalation
The world is watching tensely. The United States, under President Donald Trump, supports Israel's right to self-defense, but stresses that it played no direct role, according to The New York Times. The European Union, including the Netherlands, is calling for de-escalation, as stated in a statement by outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Iran, on the other hand, labeled the attack a "declaration of war" and launched Operation True Promise III, a retaliatory drone and missile attack on Israeli territory. This was largely intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome and support from allies such as Jordan, but the threat of further escalation remains.
A New Era in the Shadow War
Operation Rising Lion marks a turning point in the decades-old rivalry between Israel and Iran. By striking nuclear facilities just ahead of planned nuclear negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, as reported by Reuters, Israel is sending a clear message: it will not tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, "We have shown our enemies that no place is too far for our long arm."
But the operation also raises questions. How far can Israel go without triggering a regional war? And what does it mean for the ethics of warfare if targeted liquidations become a standard weapon? "This is a demonstration of power, but also a warning to the world," says a Middle East expert in Foreign Affairs. "If Israel can take out the top of Iran's regime, what is stopping them from going further?"
The Future: Control or Chaos?
As the smoke clears over Iran, the question of how this conflict will unfold remains. Iran promises revenge, but the destruction of its military infrastructure and the loss of key figures limit its clout. Israel, backed by Mossad's unparalleled intelligence, has shown its teeth. But in this shadow war, where every move is calculated, the danger of miscalculation lurks. Will Operation Rising Lion prove to be a controlled battle, or the beginning of an unstoppable escalation?
One thing is certain: as long as Mossad maintains its grip on Iran's secrets, Israel will remain one step ahead. The world is holding its breath for what follows in this deadly game of chess.
