Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that his country will continue to bomb Iran until the “threat” is removed, following initial strikes already launched.
Israel carried out preemptive strikes against Iran Thursday, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) saying that dozens of Air Force jets completed the “first stage” on multiple military targets. In an over seven-minute address to his nation, Netanyahu said the “tyrants of Tehran” have “called for Israel’s destruction,” adding that the country has reportedly “taken steps” in its production of “uranium for nine atom bombs.”
“Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival. This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat. For decades, the tyrants of Tehran have brazenly, openly, called for Israel’s destruction,” Netanyahu said. “They’ve backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a program to develop nuclear weapons.”
“In recent years, Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs,” Netanyahu added. “In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before. Steps to weaponize this enriched uranium. And, if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months, less than a year.
According to the IDF’s released statement on the attack, the military targets in Iran included that country’s nuclear weapons. Netanyahu said Israel “struck the heart of Iran’s nuclear weaponization program,” going after their main enrichment facility in Natanz.
Netanyahu went on to allege that Iran is working on a “new plan to destroy Israel,” saying Iran and its proxies have attempted to “encircle Israel with a ring of fire.” He pointed to the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack by Hamas.
“So, too, do the brave people of Iran. And I have a message for them. Our fight is not with you. Our fight is with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years. I believe that the day of your liberation is near,” Netanyahu said. “When that happens, the great friendship between our two ancient peoples will flourish once again. I want to assure the civilized world, we will not let the world’s most dangerous regime get the world’s most dangerous weapons.”
“Remember, Iran calls Israel the small Satan. It calls America the great Satan. This is why, for decades, it’s led millions in the chants of death to Israel and death to America,” Netanyahu said. “Today, Israel is responding to those genocidal calls with action and with a call of our own. Long live Israel, and long live America. Our action will help make the world a much safer place.”
Shortly after the strikes, the U.S. said it had no involvement in the operation, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio announcing the non-involvement.
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Rubio wrote.
“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners,” Rubio added. “Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”
Prior to Israel’s strike, President Donald Trump warned about a “massive conflict” that could potentially unfold in the Middle East over Iran’s nuclear program, according to NPR. The incident comes as the Trump administration had been slowly closing in on a deal with Iran regarding its nuclear program.
