Written by: Eelaththu Nilavan
□.Prelude to Conflagration: The Echoes of Tel Aviv’s Gambit
On June 13, 2025, Iran witnessed a shocking wave of attacks across its territory. Israel, through a covert military operation reportedly named “Operation Rising Lion,” launched an extensive and coordinated assault targeting multiple strategic locations deep inside Iran. These strikes included Iran’s nuclear research centers, ballistic missile bases, and several command posts of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Over 150 coordinated strikes left at least 78 Iranians, including IRGC officers and nuclear scientists, dead.
The Israeli offensive, executed with near-silent backing from the United States and other Western intelligence circles, signaled a dramatic escalation in what has long been a shadow conflict between the two regional powers. This was not just a preventive measure but a highly aggressive, calculated military intervention aimed at weakening Iran’s long-range military capabilities.
■.The Mossad Web: Covert Warfare Exposed
What made the attack even more alarming for Iran was the depth of Israeli infiltration. Iranian counterintelligence units uncovered a full-fledged Mossad spy network operating from within a residential apartment complex in Tehran. This unit was reportedly responsible for launching dozens of drones disguised as civilian activity. More than 50 kamikaze drones were deployed over four consecutive nights, causing significant damage to Iranian infrastructure.
These operations used advanced stealth modifications, smuggled into Iran overland and through civilian routes. Iranian authorities reported that vehicles used for the mission were intercepted, several agents arrested, and multiple drone launch containers seized. This discovery shattered any remaining illusion that Israel’s war against Iran was limited to borders or airstrikes—it had penetrated Iran’s very capital.
■.Operation Rising Lion: Precision Terror from the Sky
The Israeli attack followed a well-calculated, phased plan. In the first wave, Israeli drones and electronic jammers neutralized Iranian radar systems and surface-to-air missile sites. In the second wave, stealth fighters—F-35I “Adir” and F-15I “Ra’am”—entered Iranian airspace, delivering surgical strikes. The third wave targeted Iran’s most sensitive nuclear facilities, including Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, as well as IRGC command centers.
The operation showcased a combination of long-range drones such as Hermes-900 and Harop, supported by real-time satellite data and AI-powered targeting systems. Israel’s goal appeared to be clear: dismantle Iran’s long-range response capability before Iran could react.
■.Iran’s Response: Operation True Promise III
Within hours, Iran launched a fierce and overwhelming counterattack, titled “Operation True Promise III.” This was not a mere retaliation—it was a full-fledged declaration of strategic parity. Over 100 Shahed drones and more than 150 ballistic missiles were fired from Iranian territory toward Israeli cities and military infrastructure.
Targets included Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Ashdod, Ramat Gan, and key airbases near Beersheba and Haifa. The Iranian missiles reportedly struck key sections of the IDF’s central command in Tel Aviv and damaged critical communication networks. Air raid sirens echoed across central Israel as Iron Dome batteries scrambled to intercept a flood of incoming threats.
Iran’s message was unambiguous: “For every missile launched at us, we will respond with a storm.” A senior IRGC commander stated that this strike was just a sample, and that if provoked further, Iran would unleash its full strategic arsenal.
■.A Region Locking Down: Global Reverberations
Following the dual assaults, the entire region began to lock down. Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel all closed their airspace amid fears of further escalations. Iran formally extended its airspace closure until June 15, citing an “active military security zone.”
Global oil markets reacted immediately. Brent crude surged by 11%, breaking above $95 per barrel. Stock markets in Asia and Europe opened with sharp losses, fearing further instability in the Middle East. Flights were diverted, ports in the Gulf reduced operations, and foreign embassies issued evacuation warnings.
Diplomatic responses followed swiftly. Russia and China condemned Israel’s initial attack, calling it a violation of sovereignty and international law. The United States, while not officially taking responsibility, expressed support for Israel’s “right to defend itself.” France and the UK issued weak calls for de-escalation but stopped short of condemning Israel.
■.Iran’s Warning: This Is Just the Beginning
In a dramatic televised address, an Iranian military spokesperson warned that the next barrage could involve over 2,000 missiles—”at least twenty times the intensity” of the current strike. Iran stated that its underground missile silos had been activated and that long-range cruise missiles were already on standby. The tone was not defensive—it was overtly aggressive.
Meanwhile, Iranian-backed regional allies such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and factions in Iraq have been placed on full alert. Western intelligence indicates that Iran is mobilizing heavy reinforcements along the Iraq-Syria corridor and southern Lebanon, preparing for a broader regional response.
At the same time, Iranian cyber units have launched digital offensives targeting Israeli banking systems, power grids, and water infrastructure. Several Israeli websites went dark, and there were reports of power disruptions in parts of central Israel.
■.Strategic Landscape Shifting
This latest clash marks a turning point in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Iran has demonstrated that it can no longer be contained by targeted strikes and assassinations. The era of Israeli military invincibility—where it could strike at will without facing proportionate consequences—is visibly ending.
The Iranian leadership, emboldened by its expanding missile program and regional alliances, is positioning itself as a force not just of resistance, but of counter-force. This confrontation has escalated beyond proxy warfare. It is now a direct state-to-state showdown, unfolding in real time.
■.Conclusion: A Dangerous New Chapter
The Middle East has entered a new chapter—one where fire meets fire, and both sides are prepared to burn cities in response to provocations. Iran’s “True Promise III” was not merely revenge; it was a demonstration of national will, technological readiness, and military strategy.
Israel’s gamble has triggered a region-wide crisis. The next few days will determine whether this conflict stabilizes into a cold standoff or spirals into an all-out war involving multiple regional and global actors.
If this trajectory continues, the possibility of a broader regional or even global conflict becomes very real.
> “We are not afraid of war,” said an Iranian general. “But if war is forced upon us, we will make sure that no aggressor lives to declare victory.”
□ Eelaththu Nilavan □
14/06/2025
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Amizhthu’s editorial stance.
