Israel’s recent military operation, termed “Operation Rising Lion,” represents an unprecedented escalation in its conflict with Iran. This extensive assault is more ambitious than previous conflicts, including last year’s limited missile exchanges, and serves as the most significant offensive on Iranian soil since the Iran-Iraq War of 1980-1988.
Under the cover of darkness, Israeli forces targeted crucial sites linked to Iran’s nuclear program, as well as its air defenses and ballistic missile installations, severely hindering Iran’s capacity for retaliation. Reports indicate that Israeli intelligence operatives successfully identified key military and scientific figures, leading to high-profile casualties, including the top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and numerous scientists.
Iranian broadcasts claim that 78 people perished in the strikes, including civilians. Mossad’s ability to deploy drones from within Iranian territory underscores the depth of its infiltration into Iran’s defenses. This incident could merely be the beginning, as Israel appears ready to pursue additional targets that may lie underground.
The attack is rooted in longstanding concerns regarding Iran’s potential nuclear capabilities, with Western nations believing Iran may be edging closer to developing a nuclear weapon. Despite Iran’s insistence that its nuclear ambitions are strictly peaceful, many remain apprehensive given its significant stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Following the U.S.’s withdrawal from the nuclear deal in 2018, regional tensions have only intensified, with Israel viewing a nuclear-armed Iran as a significant existential threat. Other Middle Eastern nations may not favor Iran’s regime, but they continue to coexist with it, adding to the complex geopolitical landscape.
Source: www.bbc.com
