Israel struck heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme: Netanyahu

Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that the Israeli military has launched an operation targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities. He called the action a necessary step to protect Israel’s existence, stating, “We are at a decisive moment in Israel’s history.”

In a televised address on Friday, Netanyahu confirmed that the Israeli Air Force carried out a series of strikes inside Iran. The attacks were aimed at key locations involved in Iran’s nuclear development program and missile production sites. “We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme, and nuclear weaponization programme,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that the operation was preemptive and targeted. He made it clear that Israel does not seek conflict with the Iranian people. “Our fight is not with the people of Iran. Our fight is with Iran’s dictatorship,” Netanyahu said.

ISRAEL TARGETS IRAN’S NUCLEAR FACILITIES

According to Netanyahu, the Israeli military targeted nuclear facilities — including the Natanz site — which have long been suspected of playing a big role in uranium enrichment. He claimed that Israeli forces had hit locations where senior Iranian scientists involved in nuclear weapons development were working.

“We are launching a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” Netanyahu said. “This operation will continue for as many days as it takes.”

Following the strikes, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, warned that Iran is expected to respond soon. “Following the preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate timeframe,” Katz said in a public statement.

In response to escalating tensions, the United States stated Israel acted unilaterally. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio “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.”