written by Arsen Ostrovsky | 26.06.2025
In the aftermath of Israel’s bold and historic Operation Rising Lion, some in the media are spinning a fantasy. They claim Iran somehow “won.” That narrative isn’t just wrong. It’s delusional.
Here’s the reality. Iran lost. And it wasn’t even close.
Israel shattered the myth of Iran’s deterrence in a matter of hours. It struck at the very heart of the regime’s nuclear weapons program and military command infrastructure. Deep inside Iranian territory, Israeli aircraft destroyed missile stockpiles, command-and-control centers, and underground bunkers that Tehran believed were untouchable.
They eliminated senior IRGC leadership one-by-one. Not symbolic figures, but real power brokers. The men who orchestrated attacks on Israelis and Americans across the region. Gone.
Then, in coordination with the United States and under the leadership of President Trump, Israel dealt a knockout blow. The White House called it what it was. A strike that “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear facilities. Not delayed. Not disrupted. Obliterated.
Iran lost the 12-day war
Iran’s retaliation was feeble and weak. A disorganized salvo of drones and missiles, most of which were shot down. A few tragically made it through, killing over two dozen civilians. But not a single military target was hit. The Islamic Republic showed the world what it is without its nuclear program. Loud, but weak.
And more revealing than what happened is what didn’t. Hezbollah stayed silent. The Houthis stayed in place. Shia militias did nothing. Hamas didn’t fire a single rocket. Iran’s so-called axis of resistance collapsed under pressure. These groups, bankrolled and armed by Tehran for decades, abandoned their sponsor when it counted. That is strategic betrayal.
Meanwhile, the world saw the truth. This was not just Israel defending itself. It was a joint stand with the United States against a regime that openly calls for genocide and actively works toward nuclear breakout. For once, the international community didn’t hide behind moral ambiguity. The G7 stood with Israel. Leaders across the West understood that allowing Iran to go nuclear is not containment. It is surrender.
Iran was isolated. Iran was humiliated. And Iran was exposed.
This wasn’t just a tactical win. It was a strategic shift. A reset.
Israel reminded the world and its enemies that it will never allow a genocidal regime to get the bomb. It will act alone if it must. It prefers not to. But when the mission is this clear, hesitation is not an option. And this time, it did not act alone. The United States did not just express support. It delivered it. In the form of B-52s, bunker busters, and battle plans.
So, let’s end the nonsense.
Iran lost its nuclear program.
Iran lost key military leadership.
Iran lost credibility with its terror proxies.
Iran lost air sovereignty.
Iran lost the illusion that it was untouchable.
And Israel? Israel proved once again that resolve backed by capability is unbeatable. It came out stronger. More united. And more respected. Israel didn’t just defend its citizens. It made the entire world safer.
Iran lost. Israel won. The mission was clear. The execution was surgical. The outcome could not be more decisive.The article was written with John Spencer, executive director of the Urban Warfare Institute. He is the coauthor of Understanding Urban Warfare.Published in The Jerusalem Post, June 26. 2025.