What is Operation Rising Lion? Israel’s attack on Iran’s nuclear site on Friday explained

In the early hours of Friday, Israel launched an attack on the heart of Iran’s nuclear site and targeted military commanders. The attack was countered by Iran as a hundred drones were reportedly launched towards Israel, which were intercepted at the Israel border, triggering a state of emergency in Israel. 

The long standing rivalry between the border sharing nations has worsened now with the major exacerbation in the tense political climate and a broad conflict. A main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz was primarily targeted with several military commanders, including Hossain Salami, the chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards, Mohammad Bhageri and a handful of nuclear scientists. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the attack released a televised media statement and said that Israel has initiated the attack and “”targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will take as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us”. The Israeli government has been cautious of Tehran’s growing nuclear development and perceived it as a threat to their existence. 

When and Where did the attack happen?

The Israeli attack happened at 3.30 AM local time and targeted the capital city of Iran, Tehran. It is reported by the Iranian state media that residential areas were also hit and blasts were heard from the NorthEast side of Tehran. 

Hours after the attack, according to the Iranian media, a bomb blast was heard, from the blast of the Natanz Nuclear Facility that is located 225 km south of Tehran. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that the Iran site has been hit. The board of governors at the IAEA, in 20 years, has said that the Iran body is being liable and not working with its inspectors. 

What does Israel say about the attack?

Netanhayu also revealed that, “In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before, steps to weaponize this enriched uranium.”If not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months, less than a year. This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival.”

In his statement, Netanyahu also thanked US President Donald Trump for “confronting Iran’s nuclear weapons programme” and also said that the attack will go on for as many days as it takes to remove the threat. 

He further added, “We have risen like lions to defend ourselves. When enemies vow to destroy you, believe them. When enemies build weapons of mass death, stop them”. 

What is the US saying?

Although Prime Minister Netanhayu has mentioned and thanked Donald Trump, the US Secretary of state Marco Rubio said that the USA has not been involved with the attack, nor provided assistance of any kind. President Trump is yet to comment on the issue.