From Operation Opera to Operation 2025: Israel’s One Rule-Strike First, Think Later

International News: In 1981, Israel stunned the world with Operation Opera, a daring airstrike that destroyed Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor just before it could become operational. The world condemned it. But Tel Aviv called it survival. That same philosophy has now resurfaced, only this time the target is far more formidable Iran. On a quiet dawn in 2025, Israeli drones and stealth aircraft unleashed coordinated strikes on facilities near Natanz and Arak, two of Iran’s most sensitive nuclear research zones. Intelligence suggests the strikes targeted advanced centrifuge installations and underground bunkers. The message? Israel won’t wait for uranium to turn into a warhead.

Tehran’s Nuclear Dreams Go Up in Smoke

Satellite images post-strike show mushroom-like smoke clouds and seismic readings indicating bunker collapse. Iran initially denied damage but was forced to admit partial destruction at key nuclear nodes. The international community scrambled to react, but Israel had already framed the operation as a defensive necessity, not an act of war. Experts call this a textbook example of “strategic preemption,” the same logic used against Iraq. Iran, unlike Saddam’s regime, has far deeper alliances and retaliation options. But for Israel, letting Tehran go nuclear was never an option. The shadow of Osirak loomed too large.

 The Doctrine of Never Again

What began in the skies over Baghdad in 1981 now finds its sequel in Tehran’s desert. Israel’s national defense doctrine — hit before being hit — remains unchanged. Officials in Jerusalem called the strike "a painful but essential intervention to preserve Middle East stability". This move was not impulsive. Months of cyber-infiltration, satellite mapping, and insider intelligence preceded the assault. Sources say Mossad and Unit 8200 were central in identifying the exact underground chambers housing Iran’s IR-9 centrifuges. Some insiders suggest the information came from defectors within the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization.

Diplomatic Shockwaves and Regional Repercussions

World capitals buzzed with outrage and anxiety. Washington issued a measured response urging de-escalation. France and Germany condemned the unilateral action. Russia and China, both economic partners of Iran, hinted at “regional consequences” but offered no concrete retaliation. The Gulf States remained silent, but behind closed doors, many are quietly relieved. The real fear now: what’s next? Iran could retaliate through its proxies in Lebanon, Syria, or Iraq. Or worse, accelerate its nuclear ambitions in secrecy. The strike may have delayed the inevitable, but it has also reignited a dangerous race.