The Israel Defense Forces released details of Operation Roaring Lion, outlining months of intelligence gathering and operational planning that preceded strikes on Iran's missile and air defense systems. Military officials said the campaign was built on lessons from earlier confrontations and relied on years of intelligence work to identify new targets. Thousands of active and reserve personnel contributed to the structured plan, with nearly all targets selected after the previous major operation against Iran.

According to the military, the opening strike achieved strategic surprise despite heightened Iranian alert levels. Senior Iranian government and security officials were killed after intelligence monitoring identified a moment when key figures were gathered in specific locations. Israel said the initial objective was to significantly degrade Iran's military capabilities, reduce missile and nuclear threats, and potentially create conditions for internal political change.

The military also highlighted the weakening of Hezbollah following earlier operations, stating that its arsenal had been reduced by about ninety percent. Israeli officials said preparations were made in case Hezbollah joined the fighting, and that forces are ready for both defensive and offensive action along the northern border. Coordination with the United States was strengthened in recent months through joint assessments and high level meetings.

Israeli officials added that a prior campaign had already delayed Iran's nuclear development and reduced its ballistic missile stockpile, claiming that without it Iran would possess more than a thousand additional missiles today.