Israel Strikes Deep Inside Iran, Escalates Regional Tensions with Operation Rising Lion
Netanyahu Vows Continued Action to ‘Eliminate the Threat’
Nuclear Sites, Key Military Targets Hit in Pre-dawn Raid
Oil Prices Jitter as Strait of Hormuz Comes Under Threat
Global Diplomacy Faces Strain Amid Fears of Wider Conflict
KNT Web Desk: In a significant escalation of hostilities, Israel launched a series of coordinated airstrikes deep into Iranian territory early Friday morning, targeting nuclear and military installations under what it has termed Operation Rising Lion. The move, which Israeli leadership called a “preemptive and precise” operation, has reignited fears of a full-scale regional war and disrupted global oil markets.
Israeli officials said the operation was launched in response to what they described as conclusive intelligence suggesting Iran was nearing the threshold of developing a nuclear weapon.
“This is a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. “It will continue for as long as necessary.”
Key Iranian Nuclear and Military Installations Targeted
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that dozens of fighter jets participated in the raid, striking locations believed to be part of Iran’s nuclear weapons and missile development infrastructure.
“We hit Iran’s main enrichment site in Natanz, nuclear scientists involved in weapons design, and strategic missile systems,” Netanyahu stated.
Multiple explosions were reported near Tehran and the Natanz enrichment facility. Satellite imagery and local witnesses corroborated widespread damage. Iranian media has reported several high-level casualties, including Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Fereydoon Abbasi, former head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.
Global Ramifications: Oil, Trade, and Diplomacy
The Israeli assault has injected fresh volatility into global oil markets. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply flows, is now seen as a potential flashpoint should Iran retaliate.
Analysts warn that any Iranian move to block or disrupt this route could spark a surge in oil prices, exacerbate inflation, and destabilize already fragile economies.
“If shipping lanes are threatened, it won’t just be West Asia that feels the heat — energy security from Asia to Europe could be at risk,” an energy analyst said.
Uncertain Diplomatic Terrain
The strike has placed nations that have tried to maintain balanced ties with both Iran and Israel—such as India, China, and several Gulf states—into difficult diplomatic terrain. These countries may now be compelled to take a clearer stance, risking repercussions for trade and strategic relations.
Meanwhile, Arab states aligned under the Abraham Accords may quietly back Israel’s operation, viewing Iran’s ambitions as a shared regional threat. Iran, in turn, is expected to deepen ties with China and Russia in pursuit of diplomatic and military support.
The United States, while reportedly notified before the strikes, has adopted a cautious tone. Former President Donald Trump, speaking to Fox News, said:
“Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb. We were informed ahead of time, and we hope to bring everyone back to the negotiating table.”
What Comes Next?
The region now stands on the edge of uncertainty. Israel has declared a state of emergency, redirected civilian flights from Tel Aviv, and placed its defense forces on high alert. In Jerusalem, air raid sirens were heard as fears of Iranian retaliation mount.
While Iran has acknowledged attacks near sensitive sites, it has yet to issue a formal response or claim countermeasures. However, military analysts believe that Iran may respond either directly or through its regional proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, or Yemen.
Should Iran retaliate in kind, the region could be drawn into a prolonged conflict with global implications—not only for security but also for energy, trade, and the fragile geopolitical balance of West Asia.
The coming days are likely to determine whether diplomacy can restrain the momentum toward wider conflict—or whether the region is entering a dangerous new phase in its decades-old rivalry.
