Latest news with #OperationRedWedding
Mint
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Game of Thrones meets geopolitics: All about how Israel's 'Red Wedding' strike decimated Iran's military elite
In an audacious strike dubbed "Operation Red Wedding" by Israeli planners, inspired by Game of Thrones' infamous betrayal scene, Israel assassinated Iran's top military commanders and nuclear scientists in a meticulously coordinated June 13 assault. The operation, reportedly years in the making, saw drones and missiles rain down on Tehran simultaneously, killing Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) chief Hossein Salami, Armed Forces Chief Mohammad Bagheri, and nine leading nuclear scientists critical to Iran's uranium enrichment program. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orchestrated an elaborate deception to lull Iran into complacency, even postponing his son's wedding while leaking false rifts with the U.S. over military action. This ruse ensured key targets—unaware and gathered in vulnerable locations, were eliminated in minutes. The attack leveraged decades of intelligence gathering, including smuggled explosives and drones hidden in suitcases, and built on prior 2024 strikes that disabled Iran's air defenses. As chaos engulfed Tehran, Netanyahu watched from an Israeli bunker, later declaring the mission had "shattered Iran's threat." President Donald Trump followed Israel's "decapitation" strike with a devastating U.S. bombardment, dropping 30,000-pound "bunker buster" bombs on Iran's Fordow and Isfahan nuclear facilities. Trump claimed the strikes "obliterated" Iran's nuclear program, but assessments revealed a more complex reality. While Fordow's centrifuges were destroyed by shockwaves, Iran's stockpiles of highly enriched uranium remained intact and were likely moved before the attack . The IAEA confirmed "enormous damage" but noted inspectors were barred from sites, while Iran's Foreign Ministry admitted nuclear facilities were "badly damaged" . The human toll soared to 1,054 deaths in Iran, including 318 military personnel and civilians, with Israel suffering 28 fatalities . Tehran retaliated with over 550 missiles, but 90% were intercepted by Israel's air defenses, though key economic hubs faced unprecedented disruption. Amid the rubble, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei emerged from hiding to defiantly vow Iran would "never surrender," even as his regime grappled with internal fractures and a bill suspending all cooperation with UN nuclear monitors .
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Inspired by Game of Thrones, Israel's deadly Red Wedding operation took out 30 Iran generals in minutes
Inside Israel's Operation Red Wedding that Killed 30 Top Iranian Generals in Minutes- Israel's Operation Red Wedding has shocked the world with its speed, strategy, and deadly precision. Launched on June 13, the operation saw Israel eliminate 30 senior Iranian military officials in just the first few minutes of a 12-day war. This bold strike, part of a larger campaign known as Operation Rising Lion, was a preemptive move to neutralize Iran's nuclear and missile capabilities before they could pose a greater threat. Here's a detailed breakdown of the operation, how it unfolded, and what it means for the future of Middle East security. How did Operation Red Wedding begin and what was Israel's real plan? Israel launched Operation Red Wedding as part of a wider military effort under Operation Rising Lion. The plan was carefully crafted to deal a major blow to Iran's nuclear ambitions and military leadership. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the goal was clear: strike first, neutralize Iran's response capability, and take out key command structures. Within minutes, 30 Iranian generals were dead—most notably Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' Aerospace Force. He and other IRGC missile and drone officials were meeting underground to plan Iran's retaliation. Israel's timing was precise—this meeting was specifically targeted in a coordinated, multi-front strike. What role did deception and surprise play in Israel's strategy? The name 'Red Wedding' was inspired by the brutal betrayal scene in Game of Thrones , and the strategy behind it echoed that fictional massacre. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly faked taking time off for his son's wedding while finalizing plans for the surprise attack. Even his wife Sarah and son Avner were unaware that the event was a cover to lull Iran into complacency. Israeli intelligence played a major role in gathering data on high-level targets and orchestrating the perfect moment to strike. This included feeding false signals to Iran, which helped pull together key military figures into one location. What were the results of Israel's simultaneous operations? Within hours, Israel expanded the attack. Operation Narnia, another covert strike, targeted Iran's nuclear scientists. Nine senior Iranian scientists working on nuclear weapons were killed in separate but timed strikes. This all happened as more than 200 Israeli jets conducted raids on multiple Iranian nuclear facilities. In total, the IDF hit 100 strategic targets using 330 precision munitions. These included uranium enrichment plants, ballistic missile launch sites, and command centers. Israeli forces also crippled Iranian air defenses and drone systems. By the end of the 12-day campaign, Israel claimed to have fully met and exceeded all military objectives. Was Mossad operating from inside Iran? One of the most shocking revelations came from reports that Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency, had smuggled commandos and weapon systems into Iran ahead of the strike. Video footage published by Israeli media appeared to show Mossad operatives guiding drone strikes from within Iranian territory. These agents were reportedly stationed at a secret base inside Iran, playing a direct role in the early strikes on missile batteries. Their role was to provide real-time intelligence and mark critical targets for precision strikes, adding another layer of coordination to the operation. Live Events How did the United States support the mission, and what was Trump's role? U.S. President Donald Trump, still in office, supported Israel by deploying advanced American weapons to join the mission. On June 22, the U.S. dropped twelve GBU-57 'bunker buster' bombs—each weighing 30,000 pounds—on Iran's hardest-to-reach underground nuclear facilities. These strikes added significant pressure to Iran's already crumbling defense posture. Within 24 hours of these attacks, Iran launched a weak counterstrike targeting a U.S. air base in Qatar. But the attempt failed, as Iran had provided early warnings, allowing all rockets to be intercepted. A ceasefire was brokered shortly after. How is Iran reacting, and what is the Ayatollah's next move? Despite suffering heavy losses—including dozens of top military leaders and nuclear scientists—Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei claimed victory. Speaking from a hidden underground bunker, Khamenei declared that Iran had delivered a 'severe slap' to both Israel and the United States. However, analysts say his speech was more propaganda than fact. Israel retains air superiority over Tehran, and the IDF dismantled Iran's strategic weapons systems in under two weeks. Khamenei, now 86, has not been seen in public for over two weeks and remains in hiding amid fears of further assassination attempts. What does this mean for the future of Iran and the Middle East? Calls for regime change in Iran have grown louder in the wake of the conflict. Many within the Iranian public and global observers are pushing for a democratic transition. Meanwhile, President Trump hinted at supporting this movement, posting 'Make Iran Great Again' on Truth Social. Still, the White House clarified that official U.S. policy doesn't yet include regime change. Tensions in the region remain high, and while the ceasefire holds for now, the political and military fallout from Operation Red Wedding is far from over. FAQs: What is Operation Red Wedding in Israel's attack on Iran? Operation Red Wedding was Israel's surprise mission to kill top Iranian generals in a preemptive strike. How did Israel target Iran's nuclear scientists in Operation Rising Lion? Israel used drones and airstrikes to kill nine top Iranian nuclear scientists working on bomb development.
Scottish Sun
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Inside Op Red Wedding – Israel's fierce wave of assassinations killing 30 Iran generals in first MINUTES of 12-day war
The staggering operation was named after a massacre scene from the famous Game of Thrones series GAMES OF DRONES Inside Op Red Wedding – Israel's fierce wave of assassinations killing 30 Iran generals in first MINUTES of 12-day war ISRAEL has revealed details of its devastating wave of assassinations in Operation Red Wedding, killing 30 Iranian generals within the first few minutes of the conflict. On June 13, the IDF launched a "preemptive" operation not only the aim to decimate Iran's nuclear program, but to take out its military chiefs. Advertisement 9 Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on June 13 Credit: AP 9 People look over damage to buildings in Nobonyad Square following Israeli airstrikes on the first day of the conflict 9 Mossad commandos direct strikes inside Iran 9 The 'Red Wedding' scene in Game of Thrones that Israel named its operation after 9 The 12-day conflict began when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion which saw Israeli jets blast Iran's nuclear sites - as well as assassinate generals and scientists. Within its first few minutes, Operation Red Wedding saw some 30 top Iranian military chiefs killed in near-simultaneous blitz as it sought to root out the country's military strength entirely. This proved to be effective as, with three of its most senior generals dead, any possible response from Iran was halted for nearly a whole day, according to the IDF. The strike on military chiefs was given the code-name Red Wedding from popular TV show Game of Thrones, as it echoed a similar brutal massacre depicted in the series, local media reports. Advertisement read more news FACE OF THE INNOCENT Girl, 7, who fled Ukraine for leukaemia treatment is killed in Israel The scene shows a political wedding reception where the groom and his entire family are betrayed and killed by the family of the bride - much like Israel lulling Iran into a false sense of security before the operation. Most significant among the 30 deaths was the chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' air force, Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh. He was killed alongside fellow officials of the IRGC Aerospace Force - the unit responsible for Iran's ballistic missiles and drones. They had been meeting underground with the intention of preparing Iran's retaliation. Advertisement Israel had launched a deception campaign purely to deceive Iran and cause the IRGC air force officials to congregate in the early hours. Meanwhile Operation Narnia was unfolding, where nine senior Iranian nuclear scientists who were working on a bomb, according to Israel, were also killed. Iran's Ayatollah breaks silence after WEEKS cowering in bunker during Israel's blitz and 'obliterating' Trump strikes The deadly strikes all hit within minutes of each other. Hours that followed saw 200 Israeli fighter jets strike numerous Iranian nuclear sites, with air defences also destroyed and ballistic missile launches decimated - thwarting any imminent Iranian response. Advertisement The IDF said it used 330 munitions on 100 targets, including uranium enrichment plants and key command centres. By the end of the 12 day conflict, it said it had "fully met, and even exceeded, all the objectives and goals" that were set out prior to the operation. It was determined by IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir that June would be the time for the complex operation - and that any delay could mean Israel wouldn't be able to stop Iranian threat later down the line. Operation Rising Lion was therefore launched as a preemptive campaign with the intention of eliminating "the existential threat to Israel" - Iran's nuclear and missile programs. Advertisement Mossad had reportedly spent years plotting the operation, and even built a drone base instead Iran and smuggled precision weapons systems and commandos over. Bombshell footage appeared to show Mossad commandos directing attacks from inside Iran at the beginning of the 12-day conflict. It captured troops on the ground as they helped direct drone strikes against Iran's missile defences. 9 President Donald Trump, left, stands with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Credit: AP Advertisement 9 Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran, Iran Credit: Reuters 9 Destroyed storage building and tunnel entrances at Kermanshah missile facilities, western Iran Credit: AFP 9 A closer satellite view shows holes and craters on a ridge at Fordow underground complex Credit: Reuters Advertisement The US joined in on decimating nuclear facilities on June 22. To do so, President Donald Trump used some of the US military's most advanced weapons. Twelve 30,000lb bunker busting bombs - officially called the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) - were used to hit the most difficult target. Then within 24 hours starting Monday, Iran launched a "very weak" response on a US air base in Qatar before a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel was brokered by the US. Advertisement Calls are now ringing louder for the Ayatollah's regime to be taken down - and for a new democractic republic to take shape. Trump hinted at regime change in a post of Truth Social as he demanded "Make Iran Great Again" - but the White House said it was not one of the authority's official goals. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, claimed victory over Israel and America despite his country being hammered in the "12 Day War". Khamenei is hiding away in a bunker deep below ground despite the ceasefire as he fears being assassinated by secret agents, the New York Times reports. Advertisement The supreme leader was seen in a video sitting in front of the same brown curtain - presumably still cowardly hiding in his bunker - as he had last week. On Israel, he ludicrously claimed Iran had almost crushed the country and the government in Tel Aviv was on the verge of collapse. That's despite the IDF controlling the skies over Tehran, assassinating dozens of top generals and nuclear scientists, and destroying dozens of valuable missile batteries in just 12 days of fighting. On America, Khamenei claimed to have given the country a "severe slap" to its face and that it had "gained nothing" from the attack on Iran's nuke plants. Advertisement The Ayatollah said: 'The American regime entered a direct war because it felt that if it did not, the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed. "However, it gained no achievements from this war. 'Here, too, the Islamic Republic emerged victorious, and in return, the Islamic Republic delivered a severe slap to America's face.' Khamenei also bizarrely claimed his rockets had hit the American's Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, despite his forces giving advanced warning so the rockets could be all shot down. Advertisement The supreme leader was last seen a week ago in a video message, but it's two weeks since he appeared to his people in the flesh.
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Inside Op Red Wedding – Israel's fierce wave of assassinations killing 30 Iran generals in first MINUTES of 12-day war
ISRAEL has revealed details of its devastating wave of assassinations in Operation Red Wedding, killing 30 Iranian generals within the first few minutes of the conflict. On June 13, the IDF launched a "preemptive" operation not only the aim to decimate Iran's nuclear program, but to take out its military chiefs. 9 9 9 9 9 The 12-day conflict began when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion which saw Israeli jets blast Iran's nuclear sites - as well as assassinate generals and scientists. Within its first few minutes, Operation Red Wedding saw some 30 top Iranian military chiefs killed in near-simultaneous blitz as it sought to root out the country's military strength entirely. This proved to be effective as, with three of its most senior generals dead, any possible response from Iran was halted for nearly a whole day, according to the IDF. The staggering operation was given the code-name Red Wedding from popular TV show Game of Thrones, due to the unbelievable way it was carried out, local media reports. The scene the operation appeared to be named after to shows a political wedding reception where the groom and his entire family are betrayed and killed by the family of the bride. Most significant among the 30 deaths was the chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' air force, Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh. He was killed alongside fellow officials of the IRGC Aerospace Force - the unit responsible for Iran's ballistic missiles and drones. They had been meeting underground with the intention of preparing Iran's retaliation. Israel had launched a deception campaign purely to deceive Iran and cause the IRGC air force officials to congregate in the early hours. Meanwhile Operation Narnia was unfolding, where nine senior Iranian nuclear scientists who were working on a bomb, according to Israel, were also killed. Iran's Ayatollah breaks silence after WEEKS cowering in bunker during Israel's blitz and 'obliterating' Trump strikes The deadly strikes all hit within minutes of each other. Hours that followed saw 200 Israeli fighter jets strike numerous Iranian nuclear sites, with air defences also destroyed and ballistic missile launches decimated - thwarting any imminent Iranian response. The IDF said it used 330 munitions on 100 targets, including uranium enrichment plants and key command centres. By the end of the 12 day conflict, it said it had "fully met, and even exceeded, all the objectives and goals" that were set out prior to the operation. It was determined by IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir that June would be the time for the complex operation - and that any delay could mean Israel wouldn't be able to stop Iranian threat later down the line. Operation Rising Lion was therefore launched as a preemptive campaign with the intention of eliminating "the existential threat to Israel" - Iran's nuclear and missile programs. Mossad had reportedly spent years plotting the operation, and even built a drone base instead Iran and smuggled precision weapons systems and commandos over. Bombshell footage appeared to show Mossad commandos directing attacks from inside Iran at the beginning of the 12-day conflict. It captured troops on the ground as they helped direct drone strikes against Iran's missile defences. 9 9 9 9 The US joined in on decimating nuclear facilitie s on June 22. To do so, President Donald Trump used some of the US military's most advanced weapons. Twelve 30,000lb bunker busting bombs - officially called the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) - were used to hit the most difficult target. Then within 24 hours starting Monday, Iran launched a "very weak" response on a US air base in Qatar before a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel was brokered by the US. Calls are now ringing louder for the Ayatollah's regime to be taken down - and for a new democractic republic to take shape. Trump hinted at regime change in a post of Truth Social as he demanded "Make Iran Great Again" - but the White House said it was not one of the authority's official goals. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, claimed victory over Israel and America despite his country being hammered in the "12 Day War". Khamenei is hiding away in a bunker deep below ground despite the ceasefire as he fears being assassinated by secret agents, the New York Times reports. The supreme leader was seen in a video sitting in front of the same brown curtain - presumably still cowardly hiding in his bunker - as he had last week. On Israel, he ludicrously claimed Iran had almost crushed the country and the government in Tel Aviv was on the verge of collapse. That's despite the IDF controlling the skies over Tehran, assassinating dozens of top generals and nuclear scientists, and destroying dozens of valuable missile batteries in just 12 days of fighting. On America, Khamenei claimed to have given the country a "severe slap" to its face and that it had "gained nothing" from the attack on Iran's nuke plants. The Ayatollah said: 'The American regime entered a direct war because it felt that if it did not, the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed. "However, it gained no achievements from this war. 'Here, too, the Islamic Republic emerged victorious, and in return, the Islamic Republic delivered a severe slap to America's face.' Khamenei also bizarrely claimed his rockets had hit the American's Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, despite his forces giving advanced warning so the rockets could be all shot down. The supreme leader was last seen a week ago in a video message, but it's two weeks since he appeared to his people in the flesh. Israel-Iran ceasefire could be a diplomatic triumph for Trump By Professor Michael Clarke DONALD Trump's style is diplomacy on steroids. There's a concept known as Trump Time, which is three times faster than everybody else wants to move at. Generally, that creates disasters, but given the law of averages, that sort of disruption sometimes works out. Despite his F-bomb attack on Israel and Iran for breaking the ceasefire, the events of the last few days could turn into a diplomatic triumph for President Trump. He took a massive military risk at the weekend to bomb three Iranian sites using B-2 bombers carrying their Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs, alongside 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles fired from an Ohio-class submarine, probably the USS Georgia cruising somewhere under the Arabian Sea. If US action has not effectively destroyed the Iranian nuclear programme, it has certainly set it back a long way. When the Iranians responded with an attack on the US airbase in Qatar in a rather careful and measured way, we all wondered what Trump would do. Would he ignore it or authorise more American airstrikes against Iran? When he suddenly announced an overnight ceasefire, presumably negotiated over the telephone, it was fairly astonishing – Trump Time again. But immediate ceasefires tend not to be very stable. Ceasefires usually take some time to negotiate so everybody knows what's supposed to happen and when it's supposed to happen. A monitoring mechanism is needed to make sure it doesn't fall apart by accident.
The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Inside Op Red Wedding – Israel's fierce wave of assassinations killing 30 Iran generals in first MINUTES of 12-day war
ISRAEL has revealed details of its devastating wave of assassinations in Operation Red Wedding, killing 30 Iranian generals within the first few minutes of the conflict. On June 13, the IDF 9 Smoke rises up after an explosion in Tehran, Iran, on June 13 Credit: AP 9 People look over damage to buildings in Nobonyad Square following Israeli airstrikes on the first day of the conflict 9 Mossad commandos direct strikes inside Iran 9 The 'Red Wedding' scene in Game of Thrones that Israel named its operation after 9 The 12-day conflict began when Israel launched Within its first few minutes, Operation Red Wedding saw some 30 This proved to be effective as, with three of its most senior generals dead, The staggering operation was given the code-name Red Wedding from popular TV show Game of Thrones, due to the unbelievable way it was carried out, local media reports. read more news The scene the operation appeared to be named after to shows a political wedding reception where the groom and his entire family are betrayed and killed by the family of the bride. Most significant among the 30 deaths was the chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards' air force, Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh. He was killed alongside fellow officials of the IRGC Aerospace Force - the unit responsible for Iran's ballistic missiles and drones. They had been meeting underground with the intention of preparing Iran's retaliation. Most read in The US Sun Israel had launched a deception campaign purely to deceive Iran and cause the IRGC air force officials to congregate in the early hours. Meanwhile Operation Narnia was unfolding, where nine senior Iranian nuclear scientists who were working on a bomb, according to Israel, were also killed. Iran's Ayatollah breaks silence after WEEKS cowering in bunker during Israel's blitz and 'obliterating' Trump strikes The deadly strikes all hit within minutes of each other. Hours that followed saw 200 Israeli fighter jets strike numerous Iranian nuclear sites, with air defences also destroyed and ballistic missile launches decimated - thwarting any imminent Iranian response. The IDF said it used 330 munitions on 100 targets, including uranium enrichment plants and key command centres. By the end of the 12 day conflict, it said it had "fully met, and even exceeded, all the objectives and goals" that were set out prior to the operation. It was determined by IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir that June would be the time for the complex operation - and that any delay could mean Israel wouldn't be able to stop Iranian threat later down the line. Operation Rising Lion was therefore launched as a preemptive campaign with the intention of eliminating "the existential threat to Israel" - Iran's nuclear and missile programs. Mossad had reportedly spent years plotting the operation, and even built a drone base instead Iran and smuggled precision weapons systems and commandos over. Bombshell footage appeared to show It captured troops on the ground as they helped direct drone strikes against Iran's missile defences. 9 President Donald Trump, left, stands with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Credit: AP 9 Smoke rises following an Israeli attack in Tehran, Iran Credit: Reuters 9 Destroyed storage building and tunnel entrances at Kermanshah missile facilities, western Iran Credit: AFP 9 A closer satellite view shows holes and craters on a ridge at Fordow underground complex Credit: Reuters The To do so, President Donald Trump used some of the US military 's most advanced weapons. Twelve target . Then within 24 hours starting Monday, Iran launched a "very weak" response on a US air base in Qatar before a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel was brokered by the US. Calls are now ringing louder for the Ayatollah's regime to be taken down - and for a new democractic republic to take shape. Trump hinted at regime change in a post of Truth Social as he demanded "Make Iran Great Again" - but the White House said it was not one of the authority's official goals. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, claimed victory over Israel and America despite his country being hammered in the "12 Day War". Khamenei is hiding away in a bunker deep below ground despite the ceasefire as he fears being assassinated by secret agents, the The supreme leader was seen in a video sitting in front of the same brown curtain - presumably still cowardly hiding in his bunker - as he had last week. On Israel, he ludicrously claimed Iran had almost crushed the country and the government in Tel Aviv was on the verge of collapse. That's despite the IDF controlling the skies over Tehran, assassinating dozens of top generals and nuclear scientists, and destroying dozens of valuable missile batteries in just 12 days of fighting. On America, Khamenei claimed to have given the country a "severe slap" to its face and that it had "gained nothing" from the attack on Iran's nuke plants . The Ayatollah said: 'The American regime entered a direct war because it felt that if it did not, the Zionist regime would be completely destroyed. "However, it gained no achievements from this war. 'Here, too, the Islamic Republic emerged victorious, and in return, the Islamic Republic delivered a severe slap to America's face.' Khamenei also bizarrely claimed his rockets had hit the American's Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar , despite his forces giving advanced warning so the rockets could be all shot down. The supreme leader was last seen a week ago in a video message, but it's two weeks since he appeared to his people in the flesh. Israel-Iran ceasefire could be a diplomatic triumph for Trump By Professor Michael Clarke DONALD Trump's style is diplomacy on steroids. There's a concept known as Trump Time, which is three times faster than everybody else wants to move at. Generally, that creates disasters, but given the law of averages, that sort of disruption sometimes works out. He took a massive military risk at the weekend to If US action has not effectively , it has certainly set it back a long way. When the Iranians responded with an Would he ignore it or authorise more American airstrikes against When he But Ceasefires usually take some time to negotiate so everybody knows what's supposed to happen and when it's supposed to happen. A monitoring mechanism is needed to make sure it doesn't fall apart by accident.
