A senior Israeli intelligence official, speaking exclusively to Fox News, hinted at further military actions against Iran, stating, “We have more surprises coming up” following the initial wave of airstrikes under “Operation Rising Lion.”

This operation, launched to target Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure, has escalated tensions in the Middle East, raising concerns about a broader regional conflict.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) initiated “Operation Rising Lion” on June 12, 2025, targeting key Iranian military and nuclear facilities.

According to the official, the operation was driven by intelligence estimates projecting that Iran could amass an arsenal of 8,000 ballistic missiles within two years, compared to its current stockpile of approximately 2,000.

“We cannot end this operation knowing that we will be in the same spot two years from now,” the official told Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst, emphasizing the strategic necessity of curbing Iran’s military capabilities.

The operation has reportedly progressed “better than planned,” with 40 Iranian air defense systems and 30 Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air force commanders neutralized.

The strikes also targeted Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility and killed several high-ranking Iranian military officials, including IRGC Commander-in-Chief Hossein Salami and Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as a preemptive move to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” citing Iran’s alleged progress toward nuclear weapon development.

Iran responded with multiple waves of ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, starting on June 13, 2025.

These retaliatory strikes killed at least three people in Israel and injured dozens, with significant damage reported to residential areas in Tel Aviv.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed “severe punishment,” while Iranian state media claimed the attacks were a response to Israel’s “declaration of war.”

The Israeli official expressed confidence in concluding the conflict swiftly, stating, “I think we can finish it in days… It’s a good thing that we have the U.S. by our side.”

While the U.S. has denied direct involvement in the strikes, it has assisted in intercepting Iranian missiles, with American troops at bases in Iraq and Syria taking defensive measures.

However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. of coordinating with Israel, warning that Washington would bear responsibility for any repercussions.