Israel Executes Surprise Strike Decapitating Iran Nuclear, Military Leadership

Israel executed a highly sophisticated and multi-layered deception campaign, dubbed Rising Lion, to carry out a surprise military strike on Iran targeting nuclear facilities, senior military commanders, and missile bases. The operation involved manipulating diplomatic optics such as false reports of US envoy Steve Witkoff's meetings with Iran and misleading public attention by leveraging domestic political crises and Prime Minister Netanyahu's public schedule. Israeli forces successfully deceived Iran’s air force commanders into convening at a targeted location, enabling the elimination of much of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' air leadership. This unprecedented assault, years in the making, resulted in the deaths of top Iranian military leaders including Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guard chief Hossein Salami, as well as at least six nuclear scientists, significantly damaging Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. Israel's security cabinet meticulously planned the operation in secrecy, with officials bound by strict non-disclosure agreements, while misleading media and international observers about the true nature of events. The strike has heightened tensions, with Iran responding by launching drone attacks on Israel and vowing retaliation, signaling a dangerous escalation in the region.