Journalist Mendi Rizel revealed on a radio interview Tuesday that the canceled Israeli Air Force strike package on Iran was the largest in the IAF's history — larger even than the 'Beresheet' air armada that opened Operation Roaring Lion. The scale surpasses previously reported estimates, though exact sortie counts remain unreported.
Journalist Mendi Rizel disclosed on the Kol B'Ramah radio program Tuesday afternoon that the IAF strike package for Iran, canceled last week shortly before takeoff, was the largest in the force's history. According to Rizel, speaking with hosts Moskov and Gdalovich, the planned armada would have surpassed the 'Beresheet' air mission that launched Operation Roaring Lion.
The revelation follows Tuesday morning's statement by IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Omer Tishler, who told troops that the entire Air Force was ready to launch a massive strike on hundreds of targets inside Iran and was halted just one hour before takeoff while still briefing pilots — the most senior on-record confirmation of a frozen operation pending political approval.
As The Zioneer reported earlier Tuesday, Tishler's disclosure was the first time a senior Israeli officer publicly detailed the scale and readiness state of the aborted mission. The Rizel account adds comparative context: the aborted mission exceeded even the 'Beresheet' armada that opened the 2026 Operation Roaring Lion, though exact numbers of aircraft and sorties remain unconfirmed.
The 2026 Operation Roaring Lion (מבצע שאגת הארי) is a separate campaign from the 2025 Operation Rising Lion (מבצע עם כלביא); Rizel's reference explicitly names 'Beresheet' within the context of Operation Roaring Lion. The canceled mission remains a single-source disclosure attributed to a radio interview, classified as Developing.
3 developments
- StrongIsrael reportedly planned major airstrike on Iran, halted by Trump tweet
- DevelopingIsrael reportedly prepared a major Air Force strike on Iran in recent hours
- StrongIran closes airspace fearing Israeli surprise, security source says
- StrongFars News cites source: Iran was ready to strike, canceled after US offered concessions including lifting blockade
Source and signal
- Internal intake