US planes cleared Iraq’s skies and nearly exposed Israel’s opening strike on Iran, IDF general says

During Operation Rising Lion, a routine landing of U.S. planes in Iraq nearly compromised Israel's surprise opening strike on Iran, according to retired Brig. Gen. R., who commanded the Israeli Air Force control center. The unexpected clearing of Iraqi skies led Iran to suspect an imminent Israeli attack, causing targets to move. The Israeli Air Force commander immediately contacted CENTCOM, requesting the U.S. planes resume their usual aerial activity to restore the element of surprise. Despite the initial alert, Israeli forces adapted, and the first munitions struck their targets at 2:43 a.m., initiating a successful blitz against Iranian command-and-control sites, surface-to-surface missile sites, and air-superiority targets.

• The Foreign Ministry is using the book “12 Days in June” to explain the operation's significance globally.
• The book, based on 52 interviews, provides extensive behind-the-scenes details.
• It was presented to U.S. President Donald Trump and other officials.
• A remarkable coincidence occurred when an F-35 pilot recognized his own plane, with tail number 943, on the book's cover, stating, “That’s my plane. I used it to strike Iran.”