Israel’s 'Operation Rising Lion' Hits Iranian Nuclear Targets
People woke up to a new flashpoint in the Middle East as Israel kicked off a sudden offensive—Operation Rising Lion—striking deep at the heart of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Israeli jets targeted what officials called high-value nuclear facilities and research centers across Iran early Friday, hitting both infrastructure and individuals tied to the program. Amid the chaos, explosions thundered through parts of Tehran, underscoring the reach and seriousness of this attack.
A few hours after the smoke began to settle, Iran confirmed a major blow: Hossein Salami, a highly ranked commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was killed during the attacks. This wasn’t just a symbolic loss; Salami played a central role in Iran’s military planning and nuclear protection. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, quickly took to national television and promised a 'harsh response.' Iran’s leadership saw the airstrikes as a direct assault not only on their security but their sovereignty.
Israel, meanwhile, wasted no time defending its decision. Defense Minister Israel Katz called a national emergency, preparing Israelis for the likelihood of missiles, drones, or even cyberattacks in retaliation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu framed the airstrikes as a matter of survival, saying the operation would continue 'for as many days as needed' to erase what he called an immediate existential threat. The move sent a wave of anxiety through Israeli society, as emergency sirens rang out and citizens prepped for possible escalations on several fronts.
U.S. Response and Global Ripples
The world immediately wondered—is the United States involved? Secretary of State Marco Rubio made it clear: the U.S. had nothing to do with the operation. In fact, American diplomats reportedly urged Israel to avoid sparking a wider conflict. Despite those warnings, Washington did alert its European and Gulf partners about potential Israeli moves a day in advance, hoping to keep them out of harm’s way if violence blew up across the region.
Adding another twist, former president Donald Trump emerged as a rare critic of the Israeli strikes. His administration had consistently opposed direct attacks on Iranian soil out of fear that the conflict would spiral, making any chance of reviving a nuclear deal with Iran even harder. For Trump, there’s still hope for future negotiations, despite the bloodshed.
With Israel’s airstrikes now out in the open, most expect Iran won’t take long to fire back. Israeli officials put every city and town on alert, bracing for incoming missiles and drones—stray or not. Emergency shelters opened, reserve forces mobilized, and civilians began stockpiling essentials. On the streets in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, tension is thick, with everyone waiting for the next move.
Nobody’s sure where this crisis ends, but with both sides digging in, it’s clear the Israel-Iran face-off is no longer a cold standoff but a hot confrontation with consequences for the entire world. The region’s balance has shifted overnight, and for everyday people both in Iran and Israel, it’s suddenly a time of fear—and uncertainty—once again.
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