Overview

The “Rising Lion” operation, also dubbed the “12 Day War”, marked a watershed moment in the military and strategic confrontation between Israel and Iran. Israel embarked on a military campaign to strike the core of Iran’s nuclear program and ballistic missile project, thereby removing a clear and present threat by Iran. The United States, initially merely greenlighting a unilateral Israeli action, joined the campaign to strike sensitive sites with unique military capabilities. The campaign also saw unprecedented launches of ballistic missiles and drone attacks, sophisticated use of Israeli air defenses, and direct involvement of global powers. Both sides suffered losses, but the scope and results set a new precedent in the region.

Israeli Successes

Israel’s action was robust and multidimensional, achieving almost all operational goals. Most notably, Israel successfully neutralized the nuclear threat, drastically reduced the missile threat, targeted regime symbols, and decimated nearly the entire upper echelon of the IRGC. Israel also established overwhelming air and intelligence superiority, dominating the skies of Iran with little resistance, broadcasting to the region that it possesses formidable capabilities as a regional power.

Importantly, Israel refrained from targeting certain top Iranian regime officials (such as Supreme Leader Khamenei and members of…