In a significant military operation, Israel reportedly established a secret drone base near Tehran, allowing the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to carry out targeted strikes against various Iranian military sites. According to sources, including The Times of Israel, this operation involved extensive preparation over several years, which included the smuggling of weapons systems and commandos into Iranian territory.
The strikes, which occurred under the operation named “Rising Lion,” targeted over 100 sites within Iran, including nuclear enrichment facilities and military installations. The IDF released videos showing the attacks, which included the destruction of surface-to-surface missile launchers and damage to Iran’s air defense systems. Notably, the Natanz Nuclear Facility, a key site for Iran's nuclear program, was reportedly among the targets.
Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stated that the operation aimed to address what they described as an imminent threat to Israel's national security. Netanyahu emphasized that the military actions would continue until the perceived threat from Iran was effectively neutralized. IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin reiterated the necessity of the strikes, framing them as a response to an existential danger posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
The operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian military officials, including top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This event marks a continuation of Israel's strategic military efforts against perceived threats from Iran, following previous operations that have included covert actions against Hezbollah and other adversaries in the region.