Israel has struck at the heart of Iran's nuclear programme, Says Benjamin Netanyahu

In a stunning Friday morning announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exposed the opening of Operation Rising Lion—a military operation aimed at dismantling Iran's nuclear program.

As stated by Netanyahu, Israeli troops have attacked the very essence of Tehran's nuclear establishment, including high-profile enrichment plant in Natanz.

Moments ago, Israel initiated Operation Rising Lion, a focused military campaign to rollback the Iranian threat to Israel's very existence. This operation will persist for as many days as are necessary to eliminate this threat," Netanyahu stated in a pre-recorded statement released at dawn.

He also accused Iran's leadership of continually attempting to destroy Israel, referencing both their words and the efforts to build nuclear weapons. "For decades, the Tehran tyrants have openly, publicly, called for the destruction of Israel. They've followed up their genocidal threats with a programme for acquiring nuclear weapons. Over the past few years, Iran has fabricated enough highly-enriched uranium for nine atom bombs. Nine," he asserted.

Pointing to the urgency of the issue, Netanyahu declared that Iran's recent actions represent an unparalleled path towards weaponizing this uranium. "Over the last few months, Iran has made steps it's never taken before. Steps to weaponise this enriched uranium. And unless it is stopped, Iran could get a nuclear weapon within a very short time.". It may be a year, it may be within a few months, less than a year. This is an imminent and present threat to Israel's own existence," he cautioned.

Drawing parallels to past atrocities, Netanyahu invoked the memory of the Holocaust and reiterated Israel’s commitment to defending itself against existential threats. “Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve those goals. Tonight Israel backs those words with action,” he said firmly.

Netanyahu outlined the extent of the operation, saying it had targeted key assets connected to Iran's nuclear and missile program. "We targeted the epicenter of the Iranian nuclear enrichment program. We targeted the epicenter of the Iranian nuclear weaponization program. We targeted Iran's central enrichment plant at Natanz. We targeted Iran's top nuclear scientists engaged in the Iranian bomb. We also targeted the epicenter of Iran's ballistic-missile program," Netanyahu said.

He continued to sound the alarm over Iran's aspirations to create a huge missile arsenal. "Picture 10,000 tonnes of TNT descending on a nation the size of New Jersey," he said, citing Tehran's estimated three-year missile production goal. Netanyahu asserted such a course represents an "intolerable threat" that required a clear-cut response.

He also mentioned Iran's past efforts to destabilize Israel, citing the fatal October 7 attacks and continuing attempts to encircle the nation through proxy forces. "Iran is now implementing what it refers to as the new plan to eliminate Israel. You see, the old plan failed.". Iran and its surrogates attempted to surround Israel with a ring of fire and attempted to strike at us in the abominable attack on October 7 (last year)," Netanyahu said.

The Israeli prime minister praised Israeli soldiers and civilians' courage and resolve in the face of Middle Eastern hostility. He also thanked former US President Donald Trump for his strong commitment to keeping Iran from becoming a nuclear power.

While Israel proceeded alone in this operation, American foreign media reported that the United States had been informed in advance and decided against participating actively in the attack.

Explaining the target of the military action, Netanyahu declared that the conflict is squarely against Iran's regime, not its people. He then invoked biblical wisdom to underscore the imperative of pre-emptive defense: "As the Bible teaches us, when someone comes to kill you, rise and act first…. Generations from now, history will record that our generation stood its ground, acted in time and secured our common future."

Renewing the national ethic of watchfulness, he added, "We have learnt the lessons of never again. When enemies say they will kill you, believe them."

Following the initiation of the operation, Israel has declared an emergency nationwide in the home front. This morning, local air raid sirens sounded around 3 a.m. nationwide, as civilians fled to safety. The public soon learned they were told of the military action in progress throughout the country.