As AI-generated footage of Netanyahu in “Free Tehran” goes viral, the conflict’s psychological and geopolitical aftershocks continue to reverberate
Operation Rising Lion: Israel’s Devastating First Strike
As AI-generated footage of Netanyahu in “Free Tehran” goes viral, the conflict’s psychological and geopolitical aftershocks continue to reverberate. On June 13, 2025, Israel launched a sweeping military campaign against Iran, dubbed Operation Rising Lion. The operation targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, top military commanders, and missile infrastructure. According to Iranian state media, 935 people were killed, including 132 women and 38 children, in what Tehran described as a “Zionist onslaught”.
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Among the most controversial strikes was the bombing of Evin Prison, a notorious facility for political dissidents, where 79 people reportedly died. Israel’s objective was clear: to cripple Iran’s nuclear ambitions and eliminate key figures in its military hierarchy.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) used a combination of precision-guided munitions, hypersonic missiles, and cyber warfare to disable Iran’s radar and communication systems. The strikes were reportedly coordinated with U.S. intelligence, and some sources suggest American forces later joined in targeting Iran’s underground enrichment facility at Fordo.
Iran’s Retaliation: Missiles, Drones, and Urban Devastation
Iran responded with overwhelming force. Over 500 ballistic missiles and 1,100 drones were launched at Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Beersheba. While Israel’s Iron Dome and Iron Beam systems intercepted many, 28 Israelis were killed, and more than 3,000 were injured, according to Israeli health officials.
Iranian news outlet Defa Press claimed that 31,000 buildings and 4,000 vehicles in Israel were either destroyed or severely damaged. These figures, though disputed by Israeli authorities, highlight the scale of destruction. Entire neighborhoods were reduced to rubble, and over 13,000 Israelis were displaced.
Despite the damage, Israeli officials maintained a media blackout on the full extent of the destruction, citing national security concerns. However, satellite imagery and citizen footage leaked online painted a grim picture of scorched urban landscapes and overwhelmed emergency services.
The Digital Front: Netanyahu’s ‘Free Tehran’ AI Video Sparks Outrage
As the physical war raged, a parallel battle unfolded in the digital realm. A viral AI-generated video surfaced showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife strolling through a “Free Tehran” a symbolic gesture meant to project Israeli dominance and psychological warfare.
The video, though artificial, struck a nerve. Iranian officials condemned it as “digital terrorism,” while Israeli media hailed it as a masterstroke of modern propaganda. The clip was reportedly created using deepfake technology and distributed through encrypted social media channels to avoid censorship.
Meanwhile, reports emerged that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei had been moved to a secure location, further fuelling speculation about the regime’s stability. Iran also warned that it could no longer guarantee the safety of UN atomic inspectors, raising alarms in the international community about the future of nuclear oversight.
A ceasefire, brokered by backchannel diplomacy involving Qatar and the EU, came into effect on June 24. But the scars both physical and psychological will take far longer to heal.
Conclusion:
The 2025 Israel-Iran war was not just a clash of missiles, it was a battle of narratives, deterrence, and digital influence. Operation Rising Lion may have crippled Iran’s nuclear ambitions for now, but the war’s legacy will be defined as much by AI-generated symbolism as by battlefield statistics.
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