Israel has launched a historic and sweeping military offensive against Iran, marking a dramatic escalation in the already volatile Middle East. Dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) executed long-range airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and missile infrastructure—moves Israel claims were necessary to prevent an imminent existential threat.
Explosions were reported in Iran’s capital, Tehran, with Iranian state media confirming damage to sensitive sites, including the Fordow nuclear enrichment facility. Though Israeli officials denied striking Fordow directly, Iran acknowledged “limited damage” to the site, claiming essential equipment had been relocated in advance.
Among the most consequential outcomes of the strikes was the death of Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), during the bombing raids. Salami’s death is a major blow to Iran’s military command structure and could provoke a more aggressive Iranian response.
Just hours after the Israeli offensive, Iran retaliated with a large-scale ballistic missile barrage targeting multiple Israeli cities. The attack underscores the heightened stakes of the confrontation and reflects Tehran’s willingness to escalate beyond proxy warfare.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a chilling warning to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying:
“The Iranian dictator is turning Iran’s citizens into hostages… If Khamenei continues to fire missiles at Israel’s home front – Tehran will burn.”
This threat followed a situational assessment with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, as the Israeli military signaled preparations for prolonged operations across Iranian territory.
Israeli Air Force Chief Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar emphasized the strategic importance of the operation, stating:
“We struck hundreds of targets… for the first time since the beginning of the war, over 1,500 km from Israeli territory, the IAF struck defense arrays in the area of Tehran.”
He described the campaign as a decisive action against an “existential threat”, and signaled the IDF’s intent to maintain aerial dominance in Iranian airspace.
As Iranian authorities reportedly moved to restrict internet access amid the chaos, Elon Musk confirmed on X that Starlink satellite internet access had been activated over Iran. Responding to a call by Mark Levin on Fox News to “turn on Starlink,” Musk replied, “the beams are on,” providing a potential lifeline for Iranian civilians to access independent information.
While the U.S. remains officially uninvolved in the direct military action, support for Israel among American leadership remains clear. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee reminded Americans of the deep ties between the two nations, noting:
“More Americans [live] here than in any other country except Mexico. Iran isn’t just attacking Israel, but your fellow Americans who live here.”
