In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Sunday that recent Israeli strikes on Iran inflicted severe damage on the country’s defence capabilities, specifically targeting its missile production capacity. Netanyahu’s comments marked the first public acknowledgment of the strikes, which he described as a firm response to an earlier Iranian ballistic missile attack on Israel.
“In the early hours of Saturday morning, we kept our promise and severely damaged Iran’s defense capacity and its ability to produce missiles that work against us,” Netanyahu stated, emphasizing Israel’s commitment to countering threats. He warned, “To the people of Iran I say – our struggle is against a tyrannical regime that threatens the entire region. Whoever hurts us, we hurt them.”
Netanyahu extended gratitude to the United States for “close coordination and assistance” with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), noting that the strike “achieved all its objectives.” While U.S. officials denied direct involvement in the operation, they confirmed close consultation with Israel prior to the attack.
The Israeli offensive follows Iran’s earlier claim that Israel had targeted military installations across several provinces, including Tehran, Khuzestan, and Ilam. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the country’s “integrated air defense system” managed to intercept portions of the assault, resulting in only “limited damage.”
This latest exchange underscores the ongoing and intensifying standoff between Israel and Iran, with both countries accusing each other of destabilizing activities in the region. Netanyahu’s assertive stance reinforces Israel’s approach to preemptive action against perceived threats from Iran, further complicating regional security dynamics and involving close scrutiny by international powers.
