How Israel's Operation Rising Lion breached Iran: Mossad built drone bases and smuggled commandos into Tehran's heart

Operation Rising Lion (coined in Hebrew as Am KeLavi ) unfolded in the early hours of June 13, marking one of the most audacious Israeli military campaigns in decades. A coordinated strike by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Mossad, and Israel’s top defense industries targeted Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities.

What set Operation Rising Lion apart from Israel's previous strikes like those on Syria, Iraq, or even covert ops in Iran was its unprecedented blend of on-ground infiltration, domestic sabotage, and remote aerial precision, all timed to detonate the Iranian military infrastructure.

Also read: Why Israel bombed Iran’s nuclear sites and what it means

How Israel and Mossad struck deep in Iran

According to Israel National News- Arutz Sheva, camouflaged weapon platforms hidden inside ordinary civilian vehicles were parked strategically across Iran. These mobile launch systems, seemingly harmless on the surface, were remotely activated at the onset of the Israeli air assault. Their purpose was to cripple Iran’s air defenses and clear a path for Israeli jets to strike critical targets without resistance.

Even more daring was the existence of a covert Mossad drone base near Tehran. Situated in the capital’s outskirts, this hidden facility housed explosive-laden kamikaze drones that were launched toward missile sites at the Esfejabad base, one of Iran’s most sensitive and strategic military locations.

Elite Mossad commando teams had already entered central Iran under deep cover. These agents installed precision-guided strike systems near Iran’s surface-to-air missile (SAM) batteries.

As the Israeli Air Force began its assault, these hidden systems were remotely triggered, hitting their targets with pinpoint accuracy in perfect coordination with the aerial strikes. A senior Israeli source described the planning as “bold, innovative and surgically executed.”

Tehran under siege

As explosions ripped through Tehran at 03:30 local time, state media reported heavy civilian casualties, including children, and focused strikes on military housing complexes. Residential zones in districts like Saadat Abad and Narmak bore the impact. Emergency sirens pierced Israeli cities simultaneously, as Iran retaliated with roughly 100 drones, almost all intercepted.

Decapitation of Iran’s military leadership

Iran's state television confirmed the deaths of some of its most powerful figures: IRGC commander Hossein Salami, Armed Forces Chief Mohammad Bagheri, and top nuclear scientists, including Fereydoun Abbasi‑Davani. Iranian officials also reported damage to the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, though the IAEA confirmed no rise in radiation levels.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the strike, citing recent Iranian efforts to “weaponize enriched uranium,” claiming a nuclear bomb could be created “within a few months”. The IDF echoed this urgency, framing the campaign as a preemptive move to thwart an immediate existential threat.

State of emergency in Israel

Israel declared a state of emergency as flights were halted and airspace locked down. Oil prices jumped, and airlines rerouted flights. Tehran, in turn, pledged “severe retaliation,” while international voices from the UN secretary-general to Middle Eastern leaders called for restraint.

Operation Rising Lion is far from over. Israel has vowed the strikes will “continue for as many days as it takes”. Meanwhile, Iran has vowed reprisal, and military analysts warn of a tit-for-tat spiral.