Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday justified Israel’s sweeping attacks on Iran, stating that the country had no option but to act. Just hours after Israel conducted “Operation Rising Lion” and took out critical Iranian military and nuclear commanders, Netanyahu delivered a video address.
He referred to the attacks as a direct response to what he said was a clear and present danger of nuclear destruction. He cautioned that unless Israel moved now, Iran would be able to trigger a nuclear holocaust.
Operation Rising Lion Targets Iran’s Central Capabilities
PM Netanyahu started his seven-minute speech by announcing the initiation of Operation Rising Lion. He declared Israel’s objective was to destroy the Iranian regime’s nuclear enrichment and missile programs. In his words, Iran has amassed enriched uranium sufficient for nine nuclear bombs and had recently embarked on attempts to weaponise it.
He warned the world that Iran might be able to make a nuclear weapon “in less than a year.” He emphasized that Israel would not wait for that threat to materialize.
Referring to the ‘Holocaust’ to Justify Action
PM Netanyahu compared Iran’s aspirations for nuclear weapons to Nazi Germany’s Holocaust. He stated, “Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a Holocaust. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim.” He indicated that Israel would never let enemies develop weapons that could destroy it.
PM Netanyahu announced that Israel had attacked Iran’s primary enrichment plant, nuclear scientists, and missile manufacturing facilities. He cautioned that Iran is going to produce 10,000 ballistic missiles in the next three years. “Imagine 10,000 tons of TNT dropping on a nation the size of New Jersey,” he explained.
Message to Iran and the World
PM Netanyahu clarified that Israel’s struggle was not against the Iranian people but against its government. He promised that the attack also safeguarded Arab neighbors and Western countries. Also, he explained Iran’s weapons would extend not just to Israel but to Europe and the United States as well.
He thanked US President Donald Trump for his position on Iran’s nuclear program. He said Trump had specifically said Iran should never have nuclear capability.
“Never Again Is Now”
PM Netanyahu concluded with a historical reminder. He said leaders before failed to move in time against Hitler. Israel, he asserted, has learned from this. “When someone comes to kill you, rise and act first,” he said.
He termed the strikes a required action in order to protect not only Israel, but “the forces of civilisation everywhere.”