‘Deception and then a fatal blow': How Israel chose the ‘perfect' time to strike Iran; new details on Operation Rising Lion

Time of India

a day ago

Israel didn't just strike Iran - it lulled it into a false sense of security first. In one of the most precise military manoeuvres in its history, Israel launched a surprise assault on Iran's nuclear infrastructure after months of deception, misinformation, and meticulously coordinated planning.
By the time the first Israeli jets were tearing through the skies over Tehran, Iran's leadership still believed negotiations were underway, and a wedding at the Prime Minister's residence was days away. 'The stars aligned,' one IDF general remarked. But what truly made the operation devastating wasn't just the firepower it was the timing.
'The IDF launched Operation Rising Lion to confront an existential threat to the state of Israel.
In 12 days, we operated with accuracy and met our goals,' he said in a statement on X.
'The stars aligned'
The timing, according to Israeli officials, was critical. Lt. Gen. Zamir had determined as early as April that June would provide the final 'window of opportunity' to launch a successful strike. Any further delay, the IDF warned, would mean Iran's nuclear and missile programmes might pass the 'point of no return'.
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By mid-year, a perfect storm had emerged: Israeli intelligence had fully mapped out Iran's air defences, the country's Axis of Resistance including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Syria's Assad regime had weakened significantly, and operational readiness within the IDF had peaked. 'The stars aligned,' one IDF general reportedly said during internal discussions, as reported by the
Times of Israel.
In October 2024, following Iran's second missile barrage on Israeli territory, the IDF accelerated plans for an assault.
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The Intelligence Directorate and Israeli Air Force (IAF) began compiling a list of Iranian 'centres of gravity' from firepower and air superiority to economic infrastructure and military command hubs. By March, the IDF had decrypted Iran's air defence systems and finalised its target bank.
To ensure operational secrecy, the plan was compartmentalised. Even senior regional commanders within the IDF were left in the dark until the final hours.
'Operation Rising Lion will be remembered in history as one of Israel's most daring and successful operations,' Zamir said.
A web of misdirection
In the days leading up to the strike, Israel and the United States launched a sophisticated misinformation campaign to mislead Tehran. According to The Times of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump coordinated a 'multi-faceted ruse' to convince Iran that a military strike was not imminent.
The two leaders spoke for 40 minutes on the Monday before the strike, during which Trump, according to official leaks, urged Netanyahu not to proceed. Israeli and US officials claimed the focus remained on hostage talks with Hamas. 'Trump played the game together with Israel,' an Israeli official told the Times. 'It was a whole coordination.'
Cabinet meetings were staged around supposed progress in hostage negotiations.
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar gave the impression that diplomacy was gaining ground, and Israeli media was briefed accordingly. Netanyahu even allowed reports to circulate that he would not cancel his weekend vacation and that his son's wedding was still scheduled further fuelling Iranian assumptions that a strike was off the table.
Meanwhile, Israel announced that Mossad chief David Barnea and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer were travelling for talks with US envoys ahead of a new round of Iran-US nuclear negotiations.
The meeting was never on the schedule.
This smokescreen worked. Iranian leaders were convinced Israel remained hesitant and bound by diplomatic constraints. In truth, the IDF and its American allies were ready to act.
A devastating blow, a disputed outcome
As Operation Rising Lion was unleashed, the United States joined the conflict under its own codename Operation Midnight Hammer. American B-2 bombers dropped massive GBU-57 'bunker-buster' bombs on underground facilities such as Fordo, while Tomahawk missiles targeted secondary sites.
'Operation Midnight Hammer was accurate, powerful and had great achievements,' said Zamir.
Trump later declared a ceasefire on Truth Social, announcing: 'It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE… THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.'
Iran, however, dismissed US claims of crippling damage. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that 'the Islamic republic won' and had delivered 'a severe slap to the face of America'.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added, 'No agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations.'
Nonetheless, both sides have claimed victory. Netanyahu said Israel had 'thwarted Iran's nuclear project' and warned that any effort to rebuild it would 'be met with the same determination and intensity'.
The war left at least 627 Iranian civilians dead, according to Tehran, and 28 Israeli fatalities. But Israel insists it has regained strategic balance. 'We struck deep into Iran, setting back its military nuclear program, its ballistic missile capabilities, and eliminating those who led the effort to destroy Israel,' said Lt. Gen. Zamir. 'This is a defining moment for Israel, the Jewish people and the world.'