According to a report by The Times of Israel, Israel executed a sophisticated deception operation to lure top commanders of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air force into a meeting at an underground command center, which was then targeted in a devastating strike, a senior Israeli security official told Fox News.
The attack, described by Defense Minister Israel Katz as eliminating most of the IRGC’s air force leadership, underscores Israel’s advanced intelligence capabilities in its escalating conflict with Iran.
“We carried out specific activities to help us learn more about them, and then used that information to influence their behavior,” the official said. “We knew this would lead them to meet, but more importantly, we knew how to keep them there.”
The operation’s success exceeded expectations, with the strike not only neutralizing key IRGC figures but also destroying air defense systems and ballistic missiles intended for use against Israel. The IDF’s broader campaign included strikes on over 100 Iranian sites, involving some 200 aircraft and over 330 munitions.
The targeted strike followed Iran’s launch of over 100 drones aimed at Israel, prompting a robust response from the Israeli Air Force (IAF), including drone interceptions along the Syrian border and mid-air refueling over Syria.
The operation’s precision reflects the IDF’s intelligence-driven strategy, as highlighted by Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder, who described the conflict as an “existential” battle against Iran’s nuclear and conventional threats. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s vow to make Israel “regret” its actions, alongside the injury of a senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has heightened fears of retaliation.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with the United States, Germany, and the Czech Republic expressing support for Israel’s defensive actions, citing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and support for terrorist groups. U.S. President Donald Trump praised the strikes as “excellent,” while Lebanon warned Hezbollah against joining Iran’s response. The United Nations and European Union have urged de-escalation to prevent a broader conflict.
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