Why Israel named its attack on Iran ‘Operation Rising Lion’

The title ‘Operation Rising Lion’ is said to be taken from Numbers 23:24—”Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion…”—sug- gesting a mighty, God-led push from Israel. Israeli defense media even used imagery of a lion before a rising sun, underscoring motifs of strength and determination. Why Israel named its attack on Iran ‘Operation Rising Lion’.

Israel named its attack on Iran ‘Operation Rising Lion’:

Iranian emblem revival:

The national flag of Iran, before 1979, had a lion standing in front of a rising sun. Designating the mission “Rising Lion” would quietly communicate to the Iranian people, evoking memories of the pre-revolution period

Start Doctrine continuity:

Israel historically followed a policy of preemptively eliminating imminent nuclear threats—initially witnessed with Iraq’s Osirak reactor in 1981. “Operation Rising Lion” is considered to be a contemporary application of that doctrine stamped in Israeli defense policy.

Hybrid warfare in action:

Israel took years to take apart Iran’s air defenses, per various sources. That included Mossad importing micro-drones secretly and orchestrating clandestine sabotage within Iran. Before hundreds of Israeli jet strikes on nuclear and missile facilities

Opening skies for airstrikes:

The aerial-centric phase—attacking Iran’s Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) batteries—was central to gaining control of the air, with more than 70 batteries destroyed, opening the way for further strikes

Internet & Analyst Theories

“Rising Lion” as Iranian rallying call
Some analysts suggest the name is a deliberate psychological nudge to Iranians—to recall their historical flag and rise up against their regime

Preemptive justice framing
Online commentators note that the lion imagery aligns with Israel’s narrative of righteous defense. Casting the strike as a moral, necessary act to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear arms .

Echoes of the past
There is a developing theme being noticed in strategic circles: this operation represents a move from clandestine skirmishes to open direct war, with obvious biblical and symbolic messaging overlaid on top.

ALSO READ: Operation Rising Lion: Inside Israel’s Precision Strike on Iran

Bottom Line

Name = Power and symbolism: “Rising Lion” works on overlaid meaning—biblical heritage, clandestine references to Iran’s old emblem, and a rallying cry of strength.

Decades in the making: The mission represents Israel’s decades-long approach—ranging from intelligence preparation to covert sabotage and mass air attacks.

Symbolism meets strategy: The codename is not merely branding—it combines war doctrine, mythic symbolism, and geopolitics messaging in a single blow.