Last night, Israel launched a massive pre-emptive strike against targets linked to Iran's nuclear programme and political-military leadership. The operation has been named RISING LION: a mission that is not only 'conventional' but also appears, at present, to be carried out by Israeli intelligence infiltrators on Iranian territory through surgical and 'sub-threshold' actions of diverse levels and intensity.

At the moment, initial reports speak of at least 4 waves against the enrichment site in Natanz (at least four explosions confirmed), the site housing the heavy water reactor in Arak (still no confirmation), the uranium conversion site in Isfahan (still no confirmation), the 'experimental' base in Parchin, the residences of personnel linked to the nuclear programme and the country's military leadership, and other targets throughout the country.

As for the military leadership, Iranian TV has confirmed - for the time being - the elimination of the head of the Pasdaran, General Salami, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Bagheri, and other senior officers, including General Gholamali Rashid, as well as some nuclear scientists. On the other hand, there are rumours about the elimination of at least 10 scientists belonging to the nuclear programme (Abdolhamid Minouchehr, Ahmadreza Zolfaghari, Seyed Amir Hossein, Feghhi Matlabizadeh, Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi, Fereydoon Abbasi).

Israeli sources speak of over 300 air strikes which, according to the latest IDF statement, were carried out by 200 IAF fighter jets, a number which, if confirmed, would make this attack the most massive ever carried out by Israel on Iranian territory in the last 40 years (at the moment, we know that F-35I ADIR, F-15Ds and/or F-16Is were deployed; updates will follow).

Thick columns of smoke are rising from Tehran. The air and missile bases in Mehrabad, Kermanshah, Tabriz and Imam Khomeini Airport, as well as other bases, have also been hit. Israel is therefore also trying to target the missile bases from where the Iranian reaction is particularly expected. The Air Force is involved in the action, but so are Mossad and Special Forces teams, which are reportedly operating inside Iran to carry out a series of sabotage and targeted assassinations. For years, Israeli intelligence services have been able to count on vast support and ramifications throughout Iran, leveraging separatist and dissident groups. Iranian air defence currently appears to be at the mercy of Israeli electronic warfare and CEMA (Cyber Electro Magnetic Activities) operations, although most of the attacks appear to be carried out by cruise missiles and air-launched ballistic missiles fired by Israeli fighter jets outside Iranian airspace. According to the latest official updates, Iran has, for the moment, launched about 200 SHAHED 136s towards Israeli territory; the systems are already being intercepted, at least in part, by the Israeli Air Force in Jordanian airspace, while US and British fighter jets are intercepting them in Iraqi airspace.

Netanyahu has spoken of an operation that will last for weeks, i.e. as long as it takes to remove the threat. Iran was very close to developing a nuclear weapon and had been accused of having enough fissile material to produce up to 10 bombs. Yesterday, in a resolution, the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) accused Tehran of failing to comply with its nuclear obligations. The Americans have been informed of the attack but, at least officially, are not participating. Further updates will follow shortly.

Follow us on Telegram, Facebook and X.