Operation Opera | Iran and Israel's Collaboration Against Saddam to Destroy the Osirak Reactor

Buckle up for an epic journey back to June 7, 1981, when the skies over Iraq roared with the sound of Israeli F-16 jets on a daring mission that changed history. This is the story of Operation Opera, one of the most audacious and controversial military strikes ever executed—a mission to destroy Iraq’s Osirak nuclear reactor, codenamed “Tammuz,” before it could fuel Saddam Hussein’s ambitions for a nuclear bomb. In this video, we dive deep into the heart-pounding details of this high-stakes operation, the geopolitical tensions that sparked it, and the secret role Iran played in its success.
The Powder Keg of the Middle East
In the late 1970s, the Middle East was a tinderbox. Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s ruthless dictator, dreamed of dominating the region with a nuclear arsenal. With France’s help, Iraq built the Osirak reactor near Baghdad, claiming it was for “peaceful research.” But Israel, haunted by the specter of a nuclear-armed enemy, saw it as an existential threat. Meanwhile, Iran, locked in a brutal war with Iraq, shared Israel’s fears. The stage was set for a collision of nations, spies, and warplanes.
Espionage and Sabotage
Before the jets took flight, Israel’s Mossad waged a shadow war. From sabotaging reactor components in France to targeting key scientists, they tried to stop Saddam’s nuclear dream without firing a shot. The assassination of Yahya El-Meshad, an Egyptian scientist working for Iraq, sent shockwaves through the project. But when diplomacy and covert ops failed, Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin made a fateful decision: the reactor had to be destroyed.
Iran’s Hidden Role
Here’s where the plot thickens. Iran, reeling from Iraq’s invasion in 1980, became an unlikely ally. Their air force struck Osirak in a bold but limited attack, proving the reactor was vulnerable. More crucially, Iranian pilots risked their lives to capture high-quality reconnaissance photos, which were shared with Israel through secretive channels. This intelligence was the key to planning the perfect strike.
The Mission That Defied Odds
On a quiet Sunday evening, eight Israeli F-16s, escorted by six F-15s, took off from Etzion Airbase. Flying low to evade radar, they crossed Jordan and Saudi Arabia, risking detection at every turn. With only minutes to strike, the pilots dropped 16 Mark-84 bombs with surgical precision, reducing Osirak to rubble in just two minutes. Miraculously, all planes returned safely, but the world was about to erupt.
Global Fallout
The United Nations condemned Israel. The U.S. suspended jet deliveries. Iraq vowed revenge. Yet, behind closed doors, some leaders breathed a sigh of relief. The strike delayed Iraq’s nuclear ambitions for years, possibly altering the course of the Gulf War a decade later. U.S. Defense Secretary Dick Cheney later thanked Israel, saying, “If you hadn’t done it, Desert Storm would’ve been a disaster.”
Why This Matters Today
Operation Opera wasn’t just a military triumph; it birthed Israel’s “Begin Doctrine,” a policy of preemptive strikes against nuclear threats. It also showed how enemies like Israel and Iran could unite against a common foe. This video unpacks the strategy, courage, and ethical dilemmas behind the mission. Was it a justified act of self-defense or a violation of sovereignty? You decide.
What You’ll Learn in This Video
The geopolitical stakes of Saddam’s nuclear program

Mossad’s covert operations and Iran’s surprising role

How Israel executed a flawless 1600-km raid

The global backlash and long-term impact

Ethical questions about preemptive strikes

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