Written by: Israeli Ambassador to Kosovo, Tamar Ziv
The rationale behind Operation Roaring Lion — as well as the timing of its undertaking — is best understood by analyzing the past and current behavior of the Iranian regime. A brief look at what could happen in the future, if this regime is left unchecked, is also illuminating.
The dangers posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran have been evident since radical elements seized power 47 years ago. Domestically, this theocratic regime has oppressed its citizens from the start, denying them basic human rights, while internationally it has pursued an aggressive policy for nearly half a century.
After taking American diplomats hostage in 1979 and supporting Hezbollah suicide attacks against American, French, and Israeli citizens in Lebanon during the 1980s, the Iranian regime became one of the world's leading state sponsors of terrorism.
This regime’s machinery of violence and destruction operates both in the Middle East and globally. Among other things, it has provided funding, arms, training, and strategic direction to its affiliated organizations — including Hezbollah, Hamas, militias in Iraq and Syria, and the Houthis in Yemen — and maintains a vast network of groups in Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
The theocrats who rule Iran adhere to an ideology so extreme that it is difficult to fully understand. This is reflected in the treatment of their population, whether through the imprisonment of women for the way they dress or the violent suppression of protests.
The regime’s total commitment to its global agenda — which includes slogans like “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” — is also evident in the sacrifices it is willing to make at the expense of its own citizens. While many Iranians face economic hardship and a lack of basic services, the regime continues to spend billions on supporting its allies and military ambitions, further exacerbating the situation through international sanctions.
More worrying is the continued development of nuclear capabilities and the acceleration of the production of long-range ballistic missiles.
It is precisely these two dangers that explain why Operation Roaring Lion was undertaken at this moment.
Efforts by Israel and the United States to address these concerns through diplomatic means in recent months have not yielded the desired results.
On the contrary, the Iranian regime has intensified its activities, moving critical nuclear and missile infrastructure to deep underground facilities in order to avoid any possible interference. This made it imperative to take action to neutralize these threats before they became uncontrollable.
Beyond the direct threat to Israel, Iran's actions pose a growing risk to regional stability and beyond. The development of long-range missile capabilities also raises concerns about international security.
A regime with this ideological orientation, equipped with advanced nuclear and missile capabilities, would pose a serious global threat. It would have the ability to exert pressure and destabilize entire regions.
Such a scenario would also have serious consequences for the global economy, especially given the strategic importance of major energy transport routes.
Preventing this scenario has become a strategic priority. The decision to act reflects the effort to stop these risks before they reach a point of no return.
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