The Israeli Raising Lion operation: a masterpiece played by F-35Is, F-15Is and F-16Is
June 13, 2025 marked a new phase in the confrontation between Israel and Iran with the launch of Operation Rising Lion, an unprecedented large-scale air offensive. The operation targeted Iranian nuclear sites, command centers, and critical military infrastructure, triggering a military escalation that is shaking up the regional dynamic. Israel benefited from the element of surprise thanks to disinformation measures prior to the attack to thwart Iranian defenses. At the same time, Mossad support in cyber and physical sabotage targeted missile and detection sites.
“For years, the Iranian regime has been waging a direct and indirect campaign of terror against the State of Israel, by funding and directing terrorist activities via its proxies across the Middle East, while advancing toward obtaining a nuclear weapon. The Iranian regime is at the head of the axis responsible for all terrorist attacks against the State of Israel since the beginning of the "Swords of Iron" War, including the arming and funding of the Hamas terror organization which was responsible for the October 7th Massacre. During the "Swords of Iron" War, Iran even directly attacked Israel twice, firing hundreds of missiles toward the State of Israel,” IDF said on June 13 on its website.
The choice of the name “Rising Lion” is not insignificant: it reflects Israel's desire to assert its air power and its determination to neutralize any perceived threat. In a climate of growing tensions caused by the development of Iran's nuclear program and the use of regional militias, Jerusalem believes that strong action is preferable to preserve its security. Israel's military doctrine, based on air superiority and deterrence, once again guided the initiative.
The operation mobilized a variety of high-level platforms. Dozens of F-35 stealth fighters, supported by modernized F-16s, flew over several strategic sites in Arak, Natanz, and Isfahan. These aircraft, designed to penetrate advanced defense systems, played a central role in the offensive. They were joined by reconnaissance and combat drones capable of penetrating deep into Iranian lines to provide real-time data and carry out surgical strikes. Drones, emblematic of modern warfare, were used to identify and eliminate mobile or camouflaged targets, including hangars housing long-range missiles. Their use illustrates the growing importance of unmanned capabilities in contemporary conflicts.
The main aircraft deployed were the F-35I “Adir”, a 5th generation stealth fighter capable of launching Rampage and Delilah missiles from safe distances; the F-15I “Ra'am”: heavily armed multi-role aircraft suitable for deep strike missions; and the F-16I “Sufa”: an upgraded version of the F-16, equipped for complex strikes. These platforms used a combination of high-altitude launch and stealth flight, ensuring penetration of Iranian territory with controlled risk.
Several types of missiles were used, reflecting a doctrine focused on precision and range. The Rampage, a long-range cruise missile capable of reaching targets over 1,000 km away with a terminal-guidance warhead. This type is suitable for strikes on buried infrastructure, such as Natanz; and the Delilah, an autonomous, self-guided air-to-ground missile designed for precision strikes against buildings or radars, with an average range of 250 km. The first wave deployed more than 330 different munitions, including cruise missiles, precision missiles, and smart bombs. The cost of each Rampage missile is estimated at €500,000, while the Delilah costs around €200,000. With around 100 Rampages and as many Delilahs, the direct cost of ammunition is around €70 million.
The strikes also used other high-precision air-to-ground missiles, including those from the B-61 and Storm Shadow families, as well as the enhanced version of the Israeli Popeye missile. In addition, laser- and GPS-guided bombs were dropped by fighter jets to destroy complex targets such as underground bunkers and facilities housing centrifuges. The use of these weapons underscores the objective of minimizing collateral damage while neutralizing sensitive nuclear capabilities.
The effects of Operation Rising Lion were visible on two levels. On the nuclear front, the facilities targeted lost capacity: centrifuge silos were damaged, assembly buildings were devastated, and storage facilities were disabled. Weapon precision also enabled strikes on command centers, disrupting Iran's decision-making chain. These strikes reflect a targeted strategy aimed at degrading logistics and operational capabilities while sparing nearby civilian areas.
In response to Operation Rising Lion, Iran launched a retaliatory strike marked by the coordinated deployment of drones and ballistic missiles. According to several reports, more than 100 suicide drones (probably Shahed-136s) were launched toward Israel, some crossing Jordanian airspace before being intercepted in the Dead Sea or the Golan Heights. These devices, used to saturate and test missile defenses, are evidence of an asymmetric nuisance strategy aimed at provoking strategic reactions and imposing military and logistical burdens. At the same time, medium-range ballistic missiles such as the Fateh-110 and Zolfaghar were fired at peripheral areas linked to Israel in Syria and Jordan. Although the intensity of these strikes remained limited, they illustrate Iran's willingness to demonstrate its capacity for retaliation beyond the purely tactical framework, by showing that it can extend its regional deterrence through multiple vectors.
On a tactical level, the massive use of precision missiles and drones demonstrates the evolution of military doctrines toward surgical strikes combined with strong actionable intelligence. On a strategic level, this escalation shows that the conflict between Israel and Iran has now entered a new phase: asymmetric retaliation and the nuclear threat are dangerously intertwined. On June 13, Israel's show of force through Operation Rising Lion highlighted its mastery of advanced military technology. The coordinated use of F-35s, drones, and precision missiles reflects the evolution of contemporary strategic practices. Faced with this show of force, Iran responded by playing the asymmetry card, sending a strong signal to the region.
This clash marks a turning point in the confrontation between the two nations: it sheds light on how Israel intends to prolong its deterrence strategy and how Iran intends to respond, not through direct confrontation, but by asserting its capacity for permanent operational disruption.
