Israel and Iran Clash in 12-Day War: “Operation Rising Lion” Reshapes Middle East Balance

Beginning overnight Thursday June 12th into Friday June 13th, Israel staged an unprecedented attack against Iranian nuclear infrastructure. As a result, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) began firing long-range missiles toward Israel, engaging the two countries in a 12-day war, known as “Operation Rising Lion.” The name “Rising Lion” stems from a long history between the Jewish and Persian peoples, rising up against oppression. 

The US backed Israel’s strikes, and overnight June 21st into the 22nd, the US joined Israel in taking out the remaining nuclear infrastructure of Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz. As a result of the Iranian strikes, there were 25,040 building infrastructure incidents, and more than 9,000 Israelis have been displaced. 28 people were killed in Israel by Iranian missile fire, including two women in their 90s, and a seven-year-old battling cancer. 1,217 people were injured. On the Iranian Front, Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRANA), a US-based organization, estimates that over 900 people were killed over 3,000 were wounded, while the Iranian Health Ministry estimates that over 4,000 were wounded. 

Some of the key IRGC infrastructure that Israel targeted includes:

• IRGC Military Headquarters
• Iranian State Media
• Evin Prison, Iran’s most notorious prison
• IRGC Clock counting down Israel’s destruction

Iran targeted notable cities and infrastructures in Israel, including the entirety of Bat Yam and Soroka Hospital in Beersheba. The US Embassy in Jerusalem and the US Consulate in Tel Aviv also sustained damage, but have resumed business as usual.

As a result of the war, Taglit-Birthright Israel, Israel’s free travel opportunity for young Jews across the diaspora, had to evacuate some 1,500 participants via cruise to Larnaca, Cyprus, and were escorted by the Israeli Navy en route. While Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was supposed to spearhead the flight mission from Larnaca to Tampa, Florida, the plan ultimately did not happen. According to personal testimonies from participants shared on social media, participants waited for five to six hours at the Ashdod Port before boarding the Crown Iris cruise ship to Larnaca, Cyprus, where they waited another five to six hours, with very little assistance. 

On Monday, June 23rd, U.S. President Donald Trump announced via his social media platform, Truth Social, that Israel and Iran had reached a ceasefire. This ceasefire worked a little differently. Instead of the two countries ceasing operations at the same time (like a normal ceasefire), both countries ended up ceasing operations in two separate six-hour blocks. It was said yesterday by IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. (Res.) Eyal Zamir that ground troops operated inside Iran during the 12-day retreat.

Within a couple of days following the ceasefire, El Al has reopened airspace and is resuming ticket sales. Businesses across the country are returning to standard operations following shut downs.