Operation Rising Lion cripples Iran’s nuclear and missile sites, killing the IRGC leader and senior commanders.
Netanyahu warns: “If we don’t act now, we simply won’t be here.”
Colonel Kemp says: “We should thank Israel for defending us and give total support.”
Israel’s strikes came just two hours after the expiration of Trump’s 60-day ultimatum to Iran.
Israel has conducted a major pre-emptive strike on Iran, the world’s leading terror state. Described as a highly successful operation, senior Iranian commanders, including the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, were killed in the strikes. Nuclear facilities, ballistic missile sites, and key scientists were also targeted.
“This is a decisive moment in Israel’s history,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a national address. “We are defending the free world from the terrorism and barbarism that Iran fosters… Iran already had enough enriched uranium for nine nuclear bombs.”
“Because if we don’t act now, there will not be another generation. If we don’t act now, we simply won’t be here. We have internalized the lessons of history. When an enemy says he intends to destroy you — believe him,” he continued.
“When the enemy develops the capabilities to destroy you — stop him.”
Millions of innocent lives may have been saved by the strikes, according to Colonel Richard Kemp, a former commander of the British armed forces.
“This tiny country is single-handedly taking on the greatest terror state in the world today and has already done immense damage to its offensive capabilities. Iran has been attacking and killing Israelis through its terror proxies for years. It is now – or was – on the verge of nuclear bombs that could have wiped out millions of people at a stroke. Well, that’s pretty much over now, or soon will be, thanks to Israel’s courageous soldiers and political leaders.”
Kemp also pointed out that the Iranian people, who have suffered under the regime, are behind Israel in its fight against the regime, and that Israel also has the support of other Arab nations and the United States.
“Israelis are fighting to defend their country but they are also fighting to defend the Western world, the whole of which is the target of Iran’s jihadist fanatics and would have been threatened by Iran’s nuclear weapons. We should thank Israel for their actions to defend us all and we should give them our total support in their fight.”
Netanyahu also issued words of caution to Israelis, urging citizens to prepare for extended stays in bomb shelters amid an elevated threat. He warned of a real risk of Iranian drone or missile retaliation.
At the time of writing, an initial wave of 100 drones had been fired by Iran, but all were successfully intercepted by Israel. Further retaliation is expected, but Israel is continuing its operation, which could last several days or even longer depending on Iran’s response.
Information is beginning to emerge about Operation Rising Lion, revealing that Israel has achieved significant success in degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities. According to Mossad and Israeli officials, a covert Mossad-controlled site had been constructed inside Iran and was used to disable the country’s air defenses, paving the way for precision Israeli strikes on some of the regime’s most strategic assets.
Why did Israel strike now?
In recent days, it was reported that Iran had enriched enough uranium to build nuclear weapons within days, not just months. The development prompted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to issue its most severe condemnation of Iran in two decades. For the first time in 20 years, the IAEA’s 35-member board formally declared Iran in violation of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. The agency also reported that, since May, Iran’s stockpile of near-weapons-grade uranium (60% enriched) had surged by nearly 50%.
The attack also came after US-Iran nuclear negotiations broke down after Tehran rejected US demands to end all enrichment. Even though the US had no direct role in the strikes and had publicly cautioned against Israel striking, Operation Rising Lion began precisely at the end of Trump’s written 60-day ultimatum to Ayatollah Khamenei. Israel’s strikes in the early hours of 13th June, commenced approximately 2 hours after the deadline expired.
The wider Iranian threat
The Iranian regime has repeatedly pledged to eliminate the State of Israel, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei describing it as a “cancerous tumour” and vowing that it “will not exist within 25 years.” These threats are part of a long-standing policy of open hostility towards Israel.
Iran is also widely regarded as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism. Through its elite military branch, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps orchestrates, funds, and arms a network of extremist groups across the Middle East and beyond.
Key Iranian proxies include Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, including Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq.
Iran has issued numerous threats against both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Pray for Israel
As watchmen on the walls, it is important that we pray for Israel protection, for the IDF and Israeli leaders, and that Britain supports our closest ally in the Middle East. The lion has roared, and we must defend the world’s only Jewish state in its fight for survival.
