Operation Rising Lion: The Daily Brief

Data, Targets, the Iranian Threat and More

For Years Iran Has Wanted Israel Gone

Yesterday, for the first time in nearly a week, I was able to get home to see my two children—both under two years old (just in time for Father’s Day).

It was only for a few hours, but a deeply personal reminder of what we’re fighting for: a better future for millions of children, not just in Israel, but across the West.

Tragically, it’s children like them who are being intentionally targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles. Like those that just sent nearly all of Israel into bomb shelters on Sunday afternoon at 4:08pm.

First, here’s a quick update on what happened last night. Then I’ll zoom out to the bigger picture.

Last Night

After achieving near-total aerial superiority in western Iran and over Tehran, the IDF continued targeted strikes on key strategic sites. Our focus remains on assets connected to Iran’s nuclear and wide-scale ballistic missile programs.

Nuclear Program Related Sites

IAF aircraft struck over 80 targets in multiple waves, beginning at 22:45 local time last night. These strikes were launched from nearly 1,000 miles away, leveraging the aerial superiority that was established over the last few days. Our targets included:

• Iran’s Ministry of Defense Headquarters

• The SPND - Iran’s Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research - which is basically their DARPA, as well as other command centers

• Iranian Nuclear Headquarters in the Tehran area, which contained classified materials and infrastructure used to advance the nuclear project

• The Central Research and Development Facility for Chemical Materials in the Tehran area which was used to produce raw materials for the development of nuclear weapons

• A centrifuge production facility in the Tehran area supporting uranium enrichment to weapons-grade levels

• Fuel depots and other sites that support the regime’s military operations

Ballistic Missile Program

These operations come in the wake of Iran’s April and October 2025 ballistic and cruise missile attacks on Israel. In response, the IDF has continued “missile hunting” operations to neutralize threats before they can be launched.

One significant strike targeted a massive underground missile silo and launch site—featured in a widely publicized Iranian propaganda video. Both the Commander of the IRGC Air Force and the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, who appeared in that video, were eliminated in our opening salvo.

Iran had a plan to make it a much larger threat that could turn it into existential. We saw what Iran did with a few ballistic missiles.

Imagine what they could do with thousands.

In total, this brings the total targets struck in Iran to over 170, including some 720 components, since the operation started over 50 hours ago.

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Attacks on the Israeli Homefront

Sadly, Iranian and proxy attacks on Israel’s civilian population continued last night, with devastating consequences. Despite missile defense systems and shelters, ten civilians were killed, including:

• A strike on an apartment in Bat Yam resulting in at least six casualties, over 100 injuries, and people still missing

• A hit in Tamra that killed four—including a mother and two children

• A strike on Rehovot that damaged residential areas

IDF Home Front Command Soldiers at the site of a missile impact in Bat Yam June 15 2025

Meanwhile, UAVs launched from multiple fronts were intercepted by the Israeli Air Force and Navy in Eilat, the Arava, and the Galilee.

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Gaza

While the world’s attention is on Iran, ours remains divided.

We continue operations in Gaza to dismantle Hamas—an Iranian-funded and supplied proxy—and to bring every hostage home.

This morning, we confirmed the death of Sergeant First Class (res.) Noam Shemesh, 21, from Jerusalem, who was killed yesterday in southern Gaza.

May his memory be a blessing.

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Let’s Zoom Out

Iran claims that our operations to stop its nuclear program are a “call for war.” Let’s be clear: this is a regime that has posed an existential threat to Israel for years.

Senior Iranian officials have repeatedly vowed to wipe Israel off the map. Their actions have followed their words.

But Iran doesn’t just speak in threats—it acts through proxies:

• Hamas carried out the October 7th massacre under Iranian orchestration—killing over 1,200 civilians and abducting 251. 53 hostages remain in captivity.

• Hezbollah has fired over 17,000 rockets, missiles, and UAVs at Israel since October 8, 2023—killing civilians, including children.

• The Houthis, armed and funded by Iran, have launched hundreds of attacks targeting Israeli territory and global shipping. Yesterday, they continued to fire rockets.

Iran also launched direct attacks on Israel - on April 13th 2024 they attacked with over 350 ballistic missiles and UAVs, and later that year, on October 1st they launched another 180 missiles on Israel. All unprecedented - all in pursuit of their goal to eliminate Israel.

And we can't let them do that.

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Iran’s Nuclear Pursuit

Iran’s nuclear pursuit isn’t theoretical; the regime has been actively advancing toward nuclear weapons capability.

We’ve gathered clear intelligence that the regime is nearing the point of no return—and the international community now acknowledges this.

"Finds also that the Director General’s inability, as indicated in GOV/2025/25, to provide assurance that Iran’s nuclear program is exclusively peaceful."— IAEA Board of Governors, Resolution adopted June 12, 2025

IAEA reports on Iran’s nuclear program

Weapons of mass destruction in the hands of this regime are an existential threat to Israel—and to global security.

In response to that threat, the IDF launched Operation Rising Lion—a historic, targeted campaign to eliminate it before it’s too late. We struck before Iran had the ability to strike us—especially with nuclear weapons.

We do not take this responsibility lightly.

The IDF will continue to act—decisively, precisely, and only when necessary—to defend the people of Israel.

LTC Nadav Shoshani

Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson