27 November 2025

Last June, in a mere 12 days, Israel did what many thought impossible. Flying 1,500 miles deep into enemy territory, it completely gutted Iran’s nuclear programme, destroyed 70 % of its ballistic missile stockpile, and wiped out the factories that built them.

Three retired American generals were tasked with studying the war. Their verdict was blunt: “This is probably the most impressive military operation I have ever seen or been part of.”

How the war began

By 2025 Iran was months away from a nuclear bomb and planning to reach 8,000 ballistic missiles by 2027. Israel decided not to wait. At dawn on 13 June, in the space of four minutes, 30 top IRGC commanders, nuclear scientists and missile experts were eliminated. Iran’s command structure was paralysed from minute one.

The Mossad miracle

Mossad had more than 100 agents already inside Iran – many of them Iranian Jews who had been trained in Israel and smuggled back in. The moment war began, these agents blew up missile launchers and air-defence systems from the ground, opening safe corridors for Israeli jets. Not a single Israeli aircraft was lost over Iran.

What was destroyed in 12 days?

• Natanz and Fordow uranium-enrichment plants – turned to rubble
• Arak heavy-water reactor – completely demolished
• 1,700 out of 2,500 ballistic missiles + production factories
• Iran fired 525 missiles in retaliation – only 50–60 reached Israel and killed just 8 civilians

Even Arab countries helped

Jordan shot down Iranian drones overhead. Saudi Arabia quietly opened its airspace. Everyone understood: Iran is a bigger threat to them than Israel.

What the American generals said

The report was written by three heavyweights:

• Lt-Gen (ret.) Robert Ashley – former head of the Defense Intelligence Agency
• Gen. Charles Wald – former deputy commander of US European Command
• Vice Adm. (ret.) Mark Fox – former deputy commander of US Central Command

Gen. Wald summed it up: “Thirty years of planning exploded in 12 days. Intelligence, technology, surprise – everything was perfect.”

What happens now?

Iran is trying to restart its nuclear programme, but Israeli drones watch every move. Israel’s new laser-based Iron Beam system is now being deployed – each interception costs pennies and travels at the speed of light.

Iran’s “Ring of Fire” (Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis)” lies in ashes.

Final word

When the war began, Netanyahu quoted a Bible verse: “The Lion of Judah has risen.”

Twelve days later the world saw it with its own eyes – the lion really had risen. And this time he finished the job in just 12 days.

(Source: JINSA report “Operation Rising Lion”, Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel – November 2025)