Operation Rising Lion: Israel launched a military operation against Iran on 13 June 2025

Operation Rising Lion: Israel launched a military operations against Iran on 13 June 2025

Operation Rising Lion is a covert Israeli military operation that was reportedly launched in early 2024 under the larger intelligence and security doctrine termed Project Genesis, aimed at neutralizing Iranian proxies, nuclear infrastructure, and regional influence. Though not officially acknowledged in full by Israel, leaked intelligence and media reports have painted a picture of an expansive campaign that marked a significant shift in Israeli offensive posture.

Operation Rising Lion

On 13 June 2025, Israel launched a coordinated and wide-ranging military operation against Iran, striking over a dozen strategic sites under the codename Operation Rising Lion. With the declared objective of halting Iran’s nuclear weapons development, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Mossad carried out the most significant assault on Iranian territory since the Iran–Iraq War of the 1980s. The operation targeted key nuclear installations, military infrastructure, and high-ranking Iranian officials.

In the early hours of the morning, multiple explosions were reported across Tehran, signaling the start of the offensive. Iran confirmed the deaths of several senior figures, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Commander Hossein Salami, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri, and prominent nuclear scientists Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi. Civilian casualties were also reported.

Israel’s strikes inflicted heavy damage on critical nuclear infrastructure, including the destruction of the Natanz nuclear facility and significant damage to the Isfahan uranium conversion plant. However, an attack on the heavily fortified Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant reportedly failed to breach its underground defenses. Additional targets included a missile complex near Tabriz, a missile base in Kermanshah, and IRGC facilities in Tehran and Piranshahr. Several sites of public infrastructure also sustained damage during the raids.

Later that evening, Iran launched a retaliatory barrage of ballistic missiles and armed drones targeting Israeli territory, marking a dramatic escalation in the conflict.

1. Background: Origins of Operation Rising Lion

• Genesis Doctrine: This is believed to be a multi-pronged Israeli strategic policy formulated by the Mossad and Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in response to Iran’s increasing nuclear progress, drone warfare capabilities, and the strengthening of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” — including Hezbollah (Lebanon), Houthis (Yemen), and militias in Syria and Iraq.
• Triggers:
  • Acceleration of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program, reportedly reaching near-weapons grade uranium.
  • Increased drone and missile attacks from Iranian proxies in the Red Sea, targeting both Israeli and Western shipping.
  • Intelligence pointing to a planned Iranian retaliation against Israeli embassies and economic interests abroad.

2. Objectives & Targets of Operation Rising Lion

• Primary Objectives:
  1. Decapitate key Iranian proxy leadership across Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq.
  2. Sabotage nuclear infrastructure deep within Iran, including Natanz and Fordow facilities.
  3. Cyber-disruption of Iranian military networks under IRGC control.
  4. Discredit Iran diplomatically through exposure of clandestine weapon transfers.
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• Key Operations:

• Airstrikes in Damascus and Aleppo: Eliminated senior IRGC commanders and Hezbollah logistics hubs.
• Mossad-orchestrated assassinations of nuclear scientists inside Iran (in Tehran and Isfahan).
• Cyberattacks that paralyzed parts of Iran’s military command-and-control and air defense systems.
• Support to Kurdish groups in Western Iran and Northern Iraq, destabilizing Iran’s internal security.

3. Iranian Retaliation

• Operation Sword of Persia (Iranian Response):
  • Massive drone and missile barrage against Israeli territory via Hezbollah and Iraq-based militias (early 2024).
  • Attacks on Israeli embassies in Azerbaijan and Georgia (foiled).
  • Targeting Israeli-linked commercial vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea.
  • Cyberattacks on Israeli power grids and water systems (limited impact).

4. Consequences in Central Asia

• Security Volatility:
  • Border tensions escalated between Iran and Azerbaijan, where Israeli intelligence assets operate.
  • Iran’s crackdown on Sunni Baloch rebels in Sistan-Balochistan, fearing cooperation with Mossad.
  • Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan reinforced border surveillance fearing Iranian infiltration or refugee outflow.
• Geopolitical Shifts:
  • Central Asian republics, many of which have trade and energy ties with Iran, were pressured to take sides.
  • China’s BRI (Belt and Road Initiative) corridors through Iran became insecure, worrying Beijing.

5. Global Political Consequences

• U.S.-Israel Relations: Initially strained due to lack of coordination, but improved after Iran’s aggressive retaliation. The U.S. increased missile defense support to Israel (including Aegis deployments in the Mediterranean).
• Russia and China:
  • Russia condemned Israel but remained relatively passive due to its own entanglement in Ukraine.
  • China urged restraint, worried about its Iran oil deals and broader Middle East economic interests.
  • China also accelerated efforts to mediate between Saudi Arabia and Iran again to avoid wider war.
• NATO became concerned about spillover into the Caucasus and potential threats to European energy routes via Azerbaijan.
• Red Sea Security: The Houthis, backed by Iran, escalated attacks on shipping routes, affecting global supply chains, prompting the West to form a new naval coalition for Red Sea protection.
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6. Implications for India

India is impacted in five key ways:

• Energy Security:
  • India imports significant oil from Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Tensions in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea disrupted oil flows and increased shipping insurance costs, raising import bills.
• Diaspora and Regional Safety:
  • Over 8 million Indians live in the Gulf. Rising regional tensions raised concerns over their safety and led to precautionary evacuation plans.
  • Iran and Israel tensions also affected Indian pilgrims traveling to Shia holy sites in Iran and Iraq.
• Strategic Partnerships:
  • India, a partner of both Iran (Chabahar Port) and Israel (defense and cyber cooperation), maintained a careful diplomatic balance.
  • It quietly strengthened intelligence coordination with Israel, especially in cyber defense and counterterrorism.
• Trade and Logistics:
  • Indian cargo through the Chabahar Port faced risks due to Iranian instability.
  • Increased reliance on INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor) routes bypassing Iran was considered.
• Defense Preparedness:
  • Indian security agencies increased vigilance over Iran-backed sleeper cells in South Asia.
  • The conflict indirectly contributed to India’s military modernization push, including drone warfare capabilities, missile defense (DRDO-Israel cooperation), and naval readiness in the Arabian Sea.