Those of us who have been in Israel are still catching our collective breath after the daring and decisive “Operation Rising Lion” over the skies of Iran. While it proved a remarkable success, the prevailing sentiment here is that Israelis are not yet “out of the water.”
Hundreds of Israeli Air Force sorties opened Iran’s airspace, paving the way for the United States to deploy GBU-57 bunker busters and B-2 bombers. These strikes turned Iran’s key nuclear facilities at Fordow and Natanz into rubble. Meticulously planned, the operation showcased not only Israeli technological and strategic prowess, but also seamless coordination with American military and intelligence agencies.
In 12 days, it has been reported that more than 900 Iranians were killed, including 30 military commanders and 14 nuclear scientists. Israel lost 28 lives; more than 3,000 people were wounded and 9,000 displaced. Iran launched 500-plus missiles and 1,000 drones, mostly targeting civilians, while Israel focused on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp, military and nuclear infrastructure.
Though pride in these military achievements against a despotic regime responsible for terror across the globe is widespread, a sense of vigilance remains. Jihadist ideologies still thrive in the region. Gulf nations, while publicly denouncing the operation, are privately recalibrating their security frameworks in light of Iran’s weakened posture.
Not all objectives were achieved. U.S. Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, noted that Isfahan, believed to hold 60% of Iran’s enriched uranium, was not fully penetrated. Still, the strikes dealt a major blow to Iran’s ability to produce atomic weapons by disrupting uranium metallization.
Debate now rages about next steps. Some call for intensified sanctions or covert Mossad operations. Others question whether unilateral action or multilateral diplomacy is more effective. Iran condemned the strikes as aggression. Of all things, Supreme Leader Khamenei declared “victory,” accusing U.S. President Trump of exaggeration. Trump fired back bluntly: “You got beat to hell.” When asked if he would strike again, he replied: “Absolutely.”
Amid mixed global reactions, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who sits on the Armed Services Committee, invoked the War Powers Act to condemn Trump’s actions, stating that it had no congressional approval. His amendment failed, 53-47, along party lines, with only Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) crossing the partisan divide.
Western allies remain split: Some hail the operation; others warn of destabilization. Satellite imagery and intercepted communications are under intense review. Gulf States like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have expressed quiet approval, even as European leaders struggle to balance support for nonproliferation with fears of regional escalation.
Human-rights groups raise concerns about civilian impact and long-term stability, stressing the need for a combined approach: diplomacy, economic pressure and regional cooperation. The operation has reignited global discussions on the role of military force, especially in a world increasingly defined by cyber warfare. Iran’s cyber capabilities are significant, and Israeli cybersecurity efforts have intensified in response.
“Operation Rising Lion” is now a case study in modern deterrence. But it also raises difficult questions: Can precision strikes truly prevent full-scale war? Will they accelerate nuclear ambitions in secret?
As tensions escalate, traditional alliances are being tested. Nations like China and Russia are watching closely, adjusting their strategies. Meanwhile, Iran’s proxy networks have taken a hit, especially Hezbollah, which refrained from full engagement. Hamas remains active though weakened. Reports of Hamas firing on civilians at an aid distribution center, killing 467 people in Gaza, underscore the brutality of their tactics.
Meanwhile, nations such as Taiwan and South Korea can breathe a bit easier with the knowledge that the United States is a great deal more than a “paper tiger.”
Despite Tehran having been, at most, months away from a nuclear weapon, much of the Western narrative has been lost in virtue-signaling, both toward Iran and the Palestinians. Military success alone isn’t enough. Diplomatic victories and public clarity are equally crucial. What’s missing most is education—teaching our youth the moral difference between a nation striving to survive and those seeking its eradication, based on nothing more than generations of indoctrination.
This operation may very well redefine the global balance of power. Whether it proves to be a bold deterrent or the first move in a longer confrontation, only time will tell. What is certain is that the world is watching. And the stakes have never been higher.