Recent revelations by Israeli officials have shed light on how Iran may have underestimated Western intentions before the coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes under former President Donald Trump’s leadership. According to multiple sources, Iran appeared to have been caught off guard, expecting diplomatic engagements to continue in Oman and failing to anticipate a pre-emptive military response. This miscalculation left key Iranian military and nuclear facilities vulnerable, enabling Israel and the United States to execute a highly coordinated and precise attack operation with minimal resistance.
Dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” the strikes were not limited to overt military action. Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, reportedly played a pivotal role by deploying covert operations inside Iran. Smuggled drones were strategically positioned to sabotage radar systems and missile sites just before the Israeli Air Force launched its aerial strikes. These coordinated efforts dismantled several of Iran’s top-tier air defense systems, including S-300 and S-400 platforms. As a result, sites in Natanz, Fordow, and Parchin—locations tied to Iran’s controversial nuclear program—were seriously damaged.
The surprise element of the strikes points to a significant intelligence and tactical edge. While some critics suggest that leaks from within U.S. agencies may have been used to pressure Trump into action, Israeli officials insist that strict operational security was maintained until the very last moment. This level of secrecy left Iran unable to mobilize a credible defense, granting Israel and its allies brief but absolute control of Iranian airspace.
However, strategic analysts warn that while this operation was a tactical success, it may carry long-term consequences. Iran’s inability to respond militarily could lead to increased reliance on asymmetric warfare, including cyberattacks or the use of regional proxies to destabilize Israeli and Western interests. Moreover, the strikes risk further deteriorating already fragile diplomatic negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
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Ultimately, the operation highlights both the effectiveness of Israeli intelligence coordination and the volatile nature of Middle Eastern geopolitics. What remains to be seen is how Iran recalibrates its defense posture in response—and whether this episode shifts the broader balance of power in the region or provokes a dangerous new chapter in U.S.-Iran relations.
