In a nationally broadcast address delivered early Friday morning, Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu spoke directly to the public following the launch of Operation Rising Lion, a sweeping air campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.
Netanyahu characterized the offensive as a “targeted military initiative” aimed at neutralizing what he referred to as a “clear and present danger” stemming from Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons and long-range missile capabilities.
“We have struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment and weaponization programs,” Netanyahu declared. He confirmed that among the targets were the Natanz enrichment complex, top nuclear scientists, and vital elements of Iran’s missile development network. He warned that Iran had accumulated enough enriched uranium to produce nine nuclear warheads and was rapidly closing in on full weaponization.
“Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were victims of a Holocaust. Today, the Jewish state refuses to be a victim again—especially not at the hands of the Iranian regime,” he said.
The prime minister also discussed Iran’s wider influence across the region, stating that Israel’s military campaign serves to protect not only its own citizens but also its Arab neighbors, by undercutting Tehran’s power base. He claimed that the strikes had weakened Hezbollah, disrupted Iranian activity in Syria and Yemen, and spurred shifts in Lebanon and Syria’s political landscapes.
“Our fight is not with the people of Iran,” he emphasized. “It is with the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed them for 46 years.”
Netanyahu warned that Iran’s military buildup posed a threat that extended beyond the Middle East, noting that its missile technology could soon place European and American cities within range. He reiterated Israel’s determination to block nuclear arms from falling into enemy hands and extended his appreciation to President Trump for “leadership in confronting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.”
“When enemies vow to destroy you—believe them,” Netanyahu said. “Never again is now.”
The airstrikes, launched early Friday, marked a significant escalation as Israeli warplanes carried out coordinated attacks against Iranian military positions, which Israel described as a preventive measure to thwart looming threats.
Reports from Israeli and international outlets indicated that senior IRGC commanders and key nuclear personnel were among the main targets. Multiple explosions were heard in Tehran, and Iranian authorities alleged that Israel had also struck non-military zones.
The timing of the operation is particularly notable, coming just ahead of scheduled diplomatic talks between Iran and the United States on the future of Iran’s nuclear program.
{Matzav.com Israel}
