1 Year Since Operation Rising Lion:

One year ago, on June 13, 2025, the IDF launched Operation ‘Rising Lion’–a historic military campaign designed to remove one of the greatest threats ever posed to Israel. Faced with an advancing Iranian nuclear program, an expanding missile arsenal, and a growing network of regional terror proxies, the IDF acted to defend its citizens and secure its future. 

Over twelve days of continuous operations, the IDF carried out an unprecedented operation deep inside Iran. IAF fighter jets, intelligence units, aerial defense forces, naval assets, and technological capabilities worked together to strike Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile production facilities, military headquarters, air defense systems and senior commanders. 

From the opening hours of the operation, the IDF achieved significant operational success. Key figures within Iran’s military leadership were eliminated, as well as the regime's most senior commanders like Hossein Salami the Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC, and Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces. 

Nuclear facilities connected to Iran’s weapons program were struck, missile production capabilities were degraded, and launch infrastructure aimed at Israel was systematically targeted and destroyed. 

One of the most significant achievements was the establishment of aerial superiority over western Iran, and the Tehran region. Gaining freedom of action in the skies over Tehran fundamentally changed the campaign. With this development, the IAF could proceed with continuous strikes against strategic military targets throughout the mission, and prevent the IRGC from rebuilding their forces. 

Throughout the operation, the IDF also demonstrated its ability to defend Israel while conducting large-scale offensive operations. Hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles launched toward Israel were intercepted, while air defense systems, fighter aircraft, naval vessels, and intelligence assets worked together to protect Israeli civilians from Iranian attacks. 

Iranian missile capabilities suffered substantial damage, as missile launchers, storage facilities and command centers were repeatedly struck. Military infrastructure that had previously been considered untouchable, was degraded within just a matter of days.

But the impact of Operation Rising Lion extended far beyond the battlefield.

The operation fundamentally changed the strategic reality in the Middle East. For decades, Iran sought to build a ring of fire around Israel while advancing its nuclear ambitions and supplying weapons to terror organizations across the region. Operation Rising Lion demonstrated that Israel possessed both the intelligence capabilities and operational reach necessary to confront those threats directly, wherever they emerged.

One year later, the results are clear. Lessons learned during the mission have shaped force development and prepared the IDF for future threats, refining strategies and tactics.

Those capabilities were further demonstrated during Operation Roaring Lion in 2026. Building upon the foundations established during Rising Lion, the IDF conducted an even broader campaign against the IRGC’s infrastructure and leadership, carrying out thousands of precise strikes. The operation reflected not only the lessons learned in 2025, but also the continued determination of the IDF to prevent Iran from threatening Israel and regional stability.

One year after Operation Rising Lion was launched, its legacy remains evident across every arena. The campaign showcased the courage of IDF soldiers, the strength of its intelligence and technological capabilities, and its persistence in protecting the people of Israel.

Operation Rising Lion was not just a military operation, it was a turning point.

A year later, the IDF continues to stand ready, stronger, more experienced, and more prepared than ever to defend the State of Israel. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was Operation Rising Lion?
A: Operation Rising Lion was a 12-day IDF campaign launched on June 13, 2025, targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure, missile production facilities, military headquarters, air defense systems, and senior commanders.

Q: Why did the IDF launch Operation Rising Lion?
A: The operation was launched in response to what Israel viewed as growing threats from Iran's advancing nuclear program, expanding missile arsenal, and network of regional terror proxies.

Q: What were some of the operation's major achievements?
A: The campaign degraded missile production capabilities, struck infrastructure connected to Iran's weapons program, eliminated senior military leaders, and established aerial superiority over western Iran and the Tehran region.

Q: How did the IDF protect Israeli civilians during the operation?
A: Air defense systems, fighter aircraft, naval vessels, and intelligence assets worked together to intercept hundreds of unmanned aerial vehicles and defend against Iranian attacks.

Q: How did Operation Rising Lion influence later operations?
A: The lessons learned helped shape force development, operational planning, intelligence collection, aerial refueling, and multi-domain operations, and were later applied during Operation Roaring Lion in 2026.