The Breakthrough Technology That Blocked Iran’s Assault on Israel

Discover the science — and the people — behind Israel’s most powerful innovations.

Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren joins American Technion Society CEO Michael Waxman-Lenz to discuss the shifting Middle East, his role in advancing critical defense technologies, and what they mean for Israel’s future and global stability.

The Technion has played a pivotal role in saving thousands of lives and enabling us to prevail against an enemy that’s many times our size.”

— Michael Oren, former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S.

On June 13, 2025, Iran launched an unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel. Thanks to cutting-edge systems like Iron Dome and the Arrow anti-missile system, 99% of the drones and 86% of the missiles were intercepted, saving millions of lives.

Every day, groundbreaking research at the Technion is transformed into real-world defense technologies that safeguard Israel. From Iron Dome to Iron Beam, drones to satellites, and cybersecurity to supercomputers, fundamental research born in Technion labs is brought to life by visionary Technion alumni serving in the IDF, government agencies, and defense industries. This powerful Technion-driven ecosystem strengthens Israel’s security, ensuring its military superiority and deterrence capabilities.

Behind every breakthrough is more than hardware and code — it’s a commitment to long-term vision, rigorous education, and the people who turn bold ideas into impact.

At the heart of it all is the Technion, Israel’s premier institute of technology, training the next generation of engineers and scientists whose work is saving lives and shaping Israel’s future.