Tehran under fire as US and Israel launch operation ‘Lion’s Roar,’ here’s everything you need to know about the military capabilities and strategic edge of Israel and Iran

Explosions shook Iran’s capital, Tehran, on Saturday morning(February 28) as Israel, with reported backing from the United States, launched a preemptive strike against strategic locations, including areas near the offices of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The operation is named ‘Lion’s Roar.’

The attacks mark a dramatic escalation in Middle East tensions, signaling a potential new phase of conflict between two heavily armed nations. Israel has declared a state of emergency at home and warned citizens to remain near shelters, citing the possibility of Iranian retaliatory missile strikes.

President Donald Trump said the US military is taking action with Israeli forces to prevent Iran from threatening American security, vowing to destroy its missile program, neutralise its navy, dismantle regional terrorist networks, and ensure the country does not acquire a nuclear weapon.


He said, “We are going to ensure that the region’s terrorist proxies can no longer destabilise the region or the world, and attack our forces, and no longer use their IEDs - or roadside bombs, as they are sometimes called - to so gravely wound and kill thousands and thousands of people, including many Americans. And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.”

“lay down arms or ‘face certain death,” he said in a message to Iranian forces.

The unfolding situation sets the stage for a stark comparison of the military capabilities, defense strategies, and potential vulnerabilities of both nations in what could become a protracted confrontation.

Military comparison between Israel and Iran

According to the 2025 Global Firepower Index, Israel ranks 15th globally, followed closely by Iran at 16th.

Population and manpower

Iran and Israel remain two of the Middle East’s most formidable military powers, each with distinct strengths and strategic advantages.

According to Globalmilitary.net, Iran maintains a numerically larger military force, with approximately 650,000 active personnel and 350,000 reserves, supported by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and regional militias such as Hezbollah.

Its arsenal includes over 1,700 main battle tanks, thousands of artillery pieces, and a substantial missile and drone inventory capable of striking regional targets and supporting proxy operations.

Israel, by contrast, fields a smaller standing military of around 178,000 personnel but benefits from a highly trained reserve force of over 460,000, enabling rapid mobilization. Its defence budget, bolstered by US military aid, supports a technologically advanced arsenal, including fifth-generation F‑35 stealth fighters, modern tanks, precision-guided artillery, and sophisticated air defence systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow.

Israel is also widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, providing a strategic deterrent, while Iran has not yet developed nuclear capabilities despite high-level uranium enrichment programs.

Defence budgets and resources

Israel and Iran differ sharply in defence budgets and resource allocation, reflecting their contrasting military strategies.

According to the Reuters website, Israel approved 2026 budget with a $35 billion for defence. It is supported by significant US military aid, allowing for sustained investment in cutting-edge technologies, including fifth-generation F‑35 stealth fighters, advanced tanks, precision-guided artillery, and integrated air defence systems such as Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow.

In comparison, Iran’s defence budget is estimated at $10-15 billion per year, constrained by economic sanctions and inflation, limiting its ability to modernize equipment.

Airpower comparison

In any war, airpower is widely seen as a decisive factor, with Israel holding a marked technological advantage over Iran’s ageing fleet. Israel’s air force operates more than 600 aircraft, including advanced US‑supplied F‑15s, F‑16s, and a significant number of F‑35 stealth fighters, backed by sophisticated avionics, aerial refueling, and drones that enhance its operational reach and precision strike capability.

By contrast, Iran’s air force remains largely reliant on older models such as F‑14 Tomcats and MiG‑29s acquired decades ago, and lacks fifth‑generation fighters, reducing its effectiveness against modern air defences.

Several recent military engagements have underscored this disparity, as during earlier conflicts, Israeli forces quickly established air superiority, neutralizing a large proportion of Iranian air defence systems and intercepting the bulk of incoming missiles and drones, often with US support, while Iran’s jet operations have been limited and largely ineffective against highly integrated defence networks.

Iran has rapidly expanded its unmanned aerial capabilities, fielding a large and diverse drone fleet that includes long‑range strike and loitering munitions such as the Shahed series and Mohajer‑class UAVs with ranges of up to around 2,000 km, enabling mass swarm attacks and extended reconnaissance missions that have become a core pillar of its military strategy.

Strategic Implications

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran carries profound implications for Middle Eastern security and global geopolitics, as Tel Aviv’s technologically advanced military and deep ties with the United States aim to deter Tehran’s expanding missile, drone, and nuclear ambitions, while Iran leverages its large missile inventory and regional proxy networks to challenge Israel’s influence and Western interests.