After ‘Rising Lion’ Strikes, Iran Lies in Ruins Under Israel’s Watchful Eye

International News: Israel’s elite command and intelligence forces executed Operation ‘Rising Lion’ in the early hours of Tuesday. The mission, which remained under wraps for weeks, was reportedly aimed at dismantling key Iranian military infrastructure suspected of housing drone and missile systems. In coordinated waves, Israeli fighter jets and stealth drones reportedly targeted facilities in Esfahan, Shiraz, and Tabriz.

Witnesses in central Iran described hearing “unending thunder from the skies” as explosions ripped through suspected IRGC depots and radar hubs. Israel's Ministry of Defense released satellite imagery showing entire blocks reduced to ash. In one image, a once-thriving industrial park in Esfahan lies in ruins. Defense analysts say the images point to high-yield explosives and pinpoint targeting. Iranian state media described the assault as a “failed Zionist provocation,” claiming that most drones were intercepted.

Flames, Fallout, and Fragile Peace

However, independent footage leaked online shows firefighters battling flames at multiple military compounds, contradicting the official narrative. Hospitals in Esfahan reported receiving dozens of burn victims and injured personnel. Black smoke continued to rise for hours, as emergency crews struggled to control secondary explosions. Eyewitnesses described the night sky as “lit up like daylight” amid the chaos. The White House has urged both nations to de-escalate, while Russia and China have called for restraint. Meanwhile, Gulf states are on high alert, fearing retaliatory strikes or spillover. The region sits on a knife’s edge, with markets, flights, and diplomacy rattled. Military experts warn that Iran’s silence may be temporary.

Retaliation Brews, World Holds Its Breath

The IRGC’s Quds Force could retaliate via proxy networks in Lebanon, Syria, or even Yemen. Israel, meanwhile, has moved Iron Dome units to full readiness across northern cities. Reports also suggest Israel targeted underground bunkers and cyber command nodes, disrupting Iran’s surveillance capabilities. Defense insiders claim that months of signal intelligence and hacking paved the way for the blitz. Diplomatic channels across Europe are now abuzz, with emergency summits being planned in Brussels and Geneva. Oil prices have surged, and global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is being rerouted. Cybersecurity agencies in the West are on high alert, fearing digital retaliation. The world watches anxiously, unsure if this is a one-off strike or the beginning of a wider conflict.