Azadi Tower in Tehran — a symbol of modern Iran, now at the heart of rising tensions. Credit: Michael Bayazidi from Pexels via Canva.com
For over 2 decades, Israel and Iran have fought each other in silence, through cyber attacks, regional proxy wars, and assassinations. Now that dynamic has changed overnight. In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched a large-scale aerial assault on Iranian soil. This marks the first time Israel has publicly hit the Iranian mainland and the most direct confrontation between the two nations to date.
Iran sent over 100 drones, but most of them were intercepted before reaching Israeli territory! We break down what triggered the attack, how the conflict shifted from open warfare, and why international actors are scrambling to contain the fallout.
Operation Rising Lion
Operation Rising Lion, in a historic and unprecedented move, was launched in the early hours of June 13, which targeted Iranian missile production centres, top military commanders, and neutral facilities.
The strike involved around 200 Israeli aircraft and hundreds of precision munitions that reached Tehran. The key outcomes are:
- Destruction at Natanz: The Natanz uranium enrichment site suffered significant structural damage, though the IAEA confirmed no radiation.
- High-profile fatalities: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Hossein Salami and Armed Forces Chief Gen. Mohammad Bagheri were among those killed, alongside several nuclear scientists.
- Emergency measures in Israel: The Home Front Command declared a state of emergency.
This was the first time that Israel publicly executed a military operation on a scale within Iranian territory. It also marks a very concerning shift and a full-scale state-authorised military offensive operation.
Iran’s immediate response
Iran’s retaliation came within hours, and over 100 drones were launched towards Israel in a show of force. This also marks Tehran’s first direct response to an Israeli strike on its own soil. However, the attack was largely neutralised:
- No impact inside Israel: All drones were intercepted by Israeli air defences or failed to enter Israeli airspace. Sirens were not triggered in most regions.
- Civil protection measures: Schools and public events were temporarily suspended, and residents were advised to stay near shelters.
- Escalation avoided – for now: Despite its threats of “painful revenge,” Iran has so far stopped short of launching ballistic missiles or targeting Israeli cities.
Despite threatening a harsh response, Iran’s initial reaction was restrained. While over 100 drones were launched, none caused damage inside Israel. Analysts suggest Tehran is under pressure to retaliate but is also wary of provoking a regional war it may not be ready for.
In the background, Iran is likely exploring indirect options through its network of allied groups in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. This familiar strategy allows it to project power without immediate escalation.
The cyber and covert operations
While this has made headlines, much of the conflict has played out behind the scenes. Israel’s success in striking deep into Iran relied heavily on covert groundwork and also cyber disruption.
What we know:
- Mossad operations inside Iran: Israeli intelligence reportedly operated a hidden drone launch site on Iranian soil, near Tehran. These drones were used to disable air defence systems during the opening wave of strikes .
- Special forces sabotage: Israeli operatives are believed to have pre-positioned explosives near key radar sites and missile batteries, allowing jets to enter Iranian airspace with minimal resistance.
- Cyberattacks timed with strikes: Though not confirmed publicly, defence analysts suggest that Iranian communications and surveillance systems were disrupted during the assault, consistent with known Israeli cyber warfare strategies.
This blend of intelligence, sabotage, and electronic warfare represents a significant evolution in how modern conflicts are waged, particularly between rivals with limited direct diplomatic channels.
Implications:
- Israel has demonstrated that it can penetrate Iranian defences from within, not just from the air.
- Iran now faces the reality that future threats may not only come from abroad, but from inside its own territory.
The role of cyber warfare is no longer secondary; it’s central to disabling modern military infrastructure before the first missile is even launched.
Global reactions and strategic alignments
The escalation between Iran and Israel has triggered a wave of international concern, with global powers responding.
The European Union is currently calling for a de-escalation of the situation. EU leaders have expressed concern about the threat of a wider conflict and called for restraint on both sides.
- France and Germany reported that they have opened back-channel communications with both Iran and Israel, in an effort to prevent further escalation.
- The fear is that the collapse of nuclear diplomacy will lead to the permanent breakdown of non-proliferation efforts.
The Gulf States
- Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have condemned the Israeli strikes and have expressed concern over Iran’s military build-up.
- Behind closed doors, Gulf States are closely watching Iran’s response and fearing Tehran’s response.
- Air defences in the Gulf were reinforced, and air traffic has been briefly restricted in parts of the UAE and Bahrain.
Russia and China’s Strategic alignment with Iran
- Russia criticised the Israeli strike as reckless and would lead to destabilising consequences.
- Moscow has offered to mediate the nuclear deal by removing the enriched uranium from Iran, a proposal that is now most likely defunct.
- Urging both sides to avoid escalation, but framing Israel’s actions as a violation of sovereignty.
This conflict has changed the course of the Middle East in a single night, and Iran, along with Israel, has crossed the line that will be difficult to walk back from.
The old rules of deterrence and ambiguity no longer hold. What will come next depends not on the missiles already launched, but on how calm-headed the authorities are inside and outside the regions, and whether they can contain what has already been set in motion.
