Operation Rising Lion Underway: Netanyahu’s Firm Pledge
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on June 13, 2025, that Israel’s military campaign, dubbed Operation Rising Lion, will persist until the existential threat posed by Iran is fully neutralized. In a direct video message, he emphasized, “This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
Targeting Iran’s Nuclear and Ballistic Missile Programs
The operation marks a significant escalation as Israel has struck key sites tied to Iran’s nuclear enrichment efforts. Netanyahu revealed that Israel targeted the main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz and also hit critical elements of Iran’s ballistic missile development infrastructure. Moreover, the Israeli strikes extended to Iranian nuclear scientists involved in bomb development, aiming to dismantle the scientific backbone supporting Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
Escalating Regional Tensions Amid Global Concern
The attacks occurred shortly after mounting international pressure on Iran. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recently censured Iran for the first time in two decades due to its lack of cooperation with inspectors. In response, Iran announced the establishment of a third nuclear enrichment site and plans to upgrade its centrifuge technology, further intensifying anxiety in the region.
Israel has consistently maintained that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is crucial to its survival, a claim that Tehran vehemently denies despite hints from Iranian officials about their nuclear capabilities. The United States, anticipating a potential escalation, has withdrawn some diplomats from Iraq and offered voluntary evacuations for families of military personnel stationed in the Middle East.
What Lies Ahead?
As Operation Rising Lion progresses, the international community watches closely. The enduring conflict highlights the fragile balance in the region and the stakes Israel places on dismantling what it perceives as an existential threat from Iran’s nuclear program. The unfolding developments will likely influence geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East in the coming days and beyond.
