Israel has released footage showing its air force conducting strikes against Iranian ballistic missiles, alleging these missiles were intended to target Israel.
Prior to the Israeli strikes, the Mossad had established a drone base within Iran, according to a high-ranking Israeli security source. These drones were activated and deployed against surface-to-surface missile launchers, identified as a threat to Israeli citizens, once the Israeli operation commenced.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on X in Hebrew that the targets of the strikes were aimed at Israel. A military official also informed reporters that Israel was actively working to counter what it perceived as an “immediate, concrete threat” to its population.
Operation Rising Lion, described as a historic attack on Iran aimed at preventing Tehran from developing nuclear weapons, was launched by Jerusalem early Friday morning Israel time.
Before the preemptive attack, the Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, executed a series of clandestine operations within Iran. A senior Israeli security official reported that Mossad commando units deployed precision-guided weapon systems near Iranian surface-to-air missile systems. These systems were armed and launched at targets as the Israeli attack began.
Furthermore, the official mentioned a separate operation focused on neutralizing Iranian air defense capabilities that posed a threat to Israeli fighter jets. The Mossad secretly installed strike systems that “completely destroyed” the targeted defense systems.
The official further added that the Mossad successfully established a drone base inside Iran, which was utilized during the attack to target surface-to-surface missile launchers that posed a threat to Israeli civilians.
Israel claims to have eliminated Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Air Force, along with figures such as “the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC, and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command.” Israel also stated that it struck Iran’s largest uranium enrichment facility.