Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
“Today’s strike was no coincidence,” Netanyahu said in a televised address in Hebrew, claiming that Israel destroyed the Natanz nuclear facility and describing Iran’s ballistic missiles as a “strategic threat.”
Iranian state media reported that the strikes killed senior officials, including Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Hossein Salami and nuclear scientists Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi.
Netanyahu warned that if Tehran obtained nuclear weapons, “we will no longer be able to remain in the region.”
Iran has blamed both Israel and the United States for the attack, though Washington has denied involvement. In response, Tehran launched more than 100 drones toward Israeli territory, most of which were intercepted, according to Israeli authorities.
Iranian officials have vowed further retaliation, warning that Israel would “pay a heavy price.”
Netanyahu said Israel acted without US military backing but had briefed Washington beforehand. “What the United States chooses to do now is up to them,” he said.
He also claimed to have spoken with the leaders of India, France, Germany and the UK, saying they affirmed Israel’s so-called “right to self-defence” — despite Israel initiating the latest round of hostilities.
He did not give a timeline for the operation’s end but warned of further strikes, claiming Iran was “in disarray” and expected to retaliate in “severe waves.”
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