According to Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, IDF spokesperson for International Media, “The IDF has the obligation to ensure that a regime whose objective is to destroy our state and our people cannot obtain weapons of mass destruction.” The operation, which began after intelligence indicated Iran was approaching the “point of no return”, was designed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.
Over the years, the IDF reports that Iran has been leading an “axis responsible for terrorist attacks against Israel” and has been directly involved in attacks, including the “largest ballistic missile attack in recorded history.” Shoshani stated, “It funded the Hamas terror organisation which was responsible for the October 7th Massacre, it funded and aided Hezbollah and the Houthis, and it directly attacked Israel twice.”
In the first wave of strikes, approximately 200 fighter jets launched coordinated attacks over 2,000 kilometres from Israel, targeting more than 100 military sites, including nuclear facilities and senior Iranian military leadership. “For the first time ever, 200 fighter jets took off in unison, striking precisely on predetermined targets in places we have never struck before,” said Shoshani.
The IDF confirmed the elimination of key figures within Iran’s security leadership. These included Iranian Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, Revolutionary Guards Commander Hossein Salami, Emergency Command Head Gholam-Ali Rashid, and IRGC Aerospace Forces Commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh.
In addition to strikes on nuclear targets in Isfahan and Natanz – the latter being Iran’s largest uranium enrichment site – the IDF also targeted Iranian aerial defence systems in western Iran. “Dozens of radars and surface-to-air missile launchers were destroyed,” the IDF confirmed.
The strikes came just hours after Iran launched dozens of UAVs and close to 100 ballistic missiles at civilian centres in Israel, damaging infrastructure and residential buildings. “Most of the ballistic missiles were intercepted by aerial defence systems, but this defence, sadly, is not hermetic,” Shoshani noted.
“This reality – where close to 100 ballistic missiles [are] launched directly towards its city centres, at its citizens – would not have been tolerated by another country in the world,” Shoshani added, emphasising the urgency of Israel’s actions.
Operation “Rising Lion” is ongoing and in its early stages, with the IDF prepared for a broad range of scenarios. “We are acting according to a well-structured plan,” said Shoshani. “We are on high alert, constantly building the situational assessment, and prepared to defend Israeli civilians on all fronts.”
“The IDF is ready to continue to act as needed,” Shoshani concluded. “We will continue to fight for the future of our people and our children – for a better, safer future.”
Source: Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
