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The war erupted on June 13 with a bold Israeli preemptive strike deep inside Iran, kicking off Operation Rising Lion.
By Shula Rosen
In less than two weeks of open hostilities with Iran this June, Israel delivered a powerful demonstration of its advanced military capabilities, reshaping regional warfare with a fusion of innovation, strategic foresight, and precision.
The confrontation erupted on June 13 with a bold Israeli preemptive strike deep inside Iran, kicking off Operation Rising Lion.
The 12-Day War unleashed hundreds of Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear sites, missile bases, and military infrastructure.
Despite initial concerns about defense performance, Israeli officials say the country’s multi-tiered air defenses held firm.
Around 86% of Iranian ballistic missiles were intercepted, aided by recent upgrades to the Arrow system.
According to defense sources, Iran intentionally aimed at civilian areas to amplify psychological impact, resulting in 28 deaths and thousands injured or displaced.
Meanwhile, over 99% of Iranian drones were neutralized, thanks in part to earlier testing of the Iron Dome against drone swarms. Brig. Gen. (res.) Dr. Daniel Gold, head of the Defense Ministry’s research division, said Israel’s success lay in “the combination of high-level planning and technological superiority,” adding that Israel operated in Iranian airspace as confidently as it does in Gaza.
Drones proved decisive, executing more than 500 operations during the conflict and accounting for 60% of the air force’s flight hours.
These unmanned systems minimized risk to pilots and dismantled critical Iranian infrastructure with precision.
Israeli satellite networks also played a crucial role, generating over 12,000 images and enabling real-time targeting across Iran’s vast terrain.
This intelligence backbone allowed the IDF to strike hundreds of sites daily with accuracy.
The opening salvo, dubbed Red Wedding, was a coordinated wave of airstrikes involving over 200 Israeli aircraft.
Using domestically developed precision munitions, the attacks overwhelmed Iranian defenses and secured aerial dominance.
According to Moshe Patel, head of Israel’s missile defense program, the operation’s true breakthrough was “the seamless coordination of all systems—land, air, space, and cyber.”
He emphasized, “This level of synchronization, including with US platforms, exceeded anything we’ve done before.”
Israel is already developing next-generation systems for the future. As Gold noted, “We’re constantly improving. That’s our edge.” Donate to vital charities that help protect Israeli citizens and inspire millions around the world to support Israel too! Now more than ever, Israel needs your help to fight and win the war -- including on the battlefield of public opinion. Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
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