Fact Check: "Operation Rising Lion reportedly removed two existential threats to Israel."
What We Know
On June 13, 2025, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iranian nuclear infrastructure and ballistic missile capabilities. This operation was publicly justified by Israeli officials as a necessary action to eliminate what they described as existential threats posed by Iran's nuclear ambitions and military capabilities (Schmitt, 2025). The operation was characterized by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a defense of the free world against terrorism, emphasizing the urgency of addressing these threats to ensure Israel's survival (Schmitt, 2025).
The operation followed a finding by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran was in non-compliance with its nuclear obligations, which Israel cited as a legal justification for its military actions under the principle of anticipatory self-defense (Schmitt, 2025). Reports indicate that the IDF aimed to degrade Iran's air defenses and target senior military leaders, further asserting that Iran posed a direct military threat to Israel (Israel Hayom, 2025).
Analysis
The claim that Operation Rising Lion removed two existential threats to Israel is partially true. The operation indeed targeted Iran's nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities, which Israeli officials have consistently labeled as existential threats. However, the actual effectiveness of the operation in completely neutralizing these threats remains uncertain.
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Existential Threats Defined: The term "existential threat" typically refers to threats that could potentially lead to the destruction or severe harm of a nation. In this context, Israel's leadership has articulated that Iran's potential acquisition of nuclear weapons and its missile capabilities represent such threats (Schmitt, 2025).
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Operational Impact: While the operation was designed to significantly degrade Iran's military capabilities, the long-term effectiveness of these strikes is debatable. The IDF has indicated that the operation is only in its early stages, suggesting that further actions are planned (Israel Hayom, 2025). Thus, while the operation may have disrupted certain capabilities, it is premature to assert that these threats have been entirely removed.
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Source Reliability: The primary sources for this analysis include expert commentary from legal scholars and military analysts, which provide a credible basis for understanding the legal and strategic implications of the operation (Schmitt, 2025, Israel Hayom, 2025). However, it is essential to recognize that these sources may carry inherent biases, particularly given the contentious nature of Israeli-Iranian relations.
Conclusion
The claim that "Operation Rising Lion reportedly removed two existential threats to Israel" is partially true. While the operation targeted significant threats posed by Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities, the assertion that these threats have been completely neutralized is not substantiated by the available evidence. The situation remains dynamic, and further developments could alter the current assessment.
Sources
- Israel's Operation Rising Lion and the Right of Self-Defense (https://lieber.westpoint.edu/israels-operation-rising-lion-right-of-self-defense/)
- PDF Defense Israel's Operation Rising Lion and the Right of Self (https://www.lawandisrael.org/wp-content/uploads/Topics/Gaza/2023-Conflict/Lieber/lieber.westpoint.edu-Israels-Operation-Rising-Lion-and-the-Right-of-Self-Defense.pdf)
- Operation Rising Lion was in the works for a year, IDF says (https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/06/17/operation-rising-lion-was-in-the-works-for-a-year-idf-says/)
- Israel's 12 day Iran war which may have outdone the Six Day War (https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-858882)
