On the night of June 13th, Israel initiated an attack on the Islamic Republic of Iran, code-named “Rising Lion.” This operation aimed to achieve two primary objectives: to neutralize Iran’s nuclear facilities and halt its nuclear development program, and to provoke a process that would lead to the overthrow of the theocratic regime in power since the 1979 revolution. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) executed the assault using squadrons of fighter planes, including older F-16s and F-15s, as well as the advanced fifth-generation F-35 Stealth airframe, known for its ability to evade radar and air defenses.

The Israeli attack plan was a sophisticated hybrid, incorporating elements from past successful air operations. It drew inspiration from Israel’s 1967 surprise attacks on Egyptian airfields, which effectively crippled the Egyptian air force. It also included components of the 1982 IAF attack on Iraq’s Osirak nuclear site, where one group of fighters was dedicated to destroying the site while another engaged Iraqi air forces. Furthermore, the plan integrated aspects of the