What Israel Accomplished in the Opening Days of ‘Rising Lion’

Israel’s military operation has hobbled Iran’s missile and air defense capabilities and put its nuclear program at risk.
What Israel Accomplished in the Opening Days of ‘Rising Lion’
Smoke rises after a reported Israeli strike on a building used by Islamic Republic of Iran News Network, part of Iran's state TV broadcaster, in Tehran, Iran, on June 16, 2025. Stringer/Getty Images
Andrew Thornebrooke
Andrew Thornebrooke
National Security Correspondent
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Israel’s surprise military campaign against Iran has reshaped the political map of the Middle East in less than a week, as Israeli forces have claimed several victories over Iran’s political and military apparatus.

The operation, code-named “Rising Lion,” rapidly expanded from an initial airstrike on June 13 to a full-blown operation to destroy Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programs within a matter of days.

Andrew Thornebrooke
Andrew Thornebrooke
National Security Correspondent
Andrew Thornebrooke is a national security correspondent for The Epoch Times covering China-related issues with a focus on defense, military affairs, and national security. He holds a master's in military history from Norwich University.
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