“The Rise of the Rising Lion”: an Israeli Prime Minister Has Come to Persistent Defense of the Iranian Nuclear Enrichment Program
In a video statement posted on social media Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attack, called Operation “Rising Lion, “struck at the heart of Iran nuclear enrichment program” and will “continue for as many days as it takes”.
Iran refuses to agree to the basic requirement of peaceful nations and is just buying time. Netanyahu said that they have no choice but to act now.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that U.S. forces were not involved in the attack. “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. Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel,” the statement said
Just hours earlier, President Trump warned that an attack on Iran could happen. It seems like it could very well happen. It’s very simple. Iran doesn’t have a nuclear weapon. They have to be successful, other than that. I want them to be outstanding. “We will help them be successful,” was what Trump said when he warned about the U.S. talks with Iran. Steven Witkoff was due to meet Iranian negotiators in Oman on Sunday.
Sirens also sounded across Israel in the hours before dawn: an Israel military official told NPR the alarms were pre-emptive. Israel’s Defense Minister said that a “special state of emergency” had been declared and that he expected missile and drone retaliation.
Multiple reports from Tehran stated that loud blasts had been heard in the northeast of the Iranian capital. Iranian state TV has reported that Israel has struck the Revolutionary Guards’ headquarters in Tehran, killing the Commander Hossein Salami. The Revolutionary Guards are the most powerful branch of Iran’s armed forces.
Israel has carried out “dozens” of air strikes in Iran, an Israeli military official has confirmed in a briefing attended by NPR. The official said the Israeli air force was attacking the country’s nuclear sites and accused Tehran of having a secret program to build a nuclear bomb.
Later Friday morning, Israel said it intercepted Iranian drones while Jordan said its air force blocked attacks aimed at Israel in Jordanian airspace. Jordan, Israel, Iran and Iraq all closed their airspace to flights.
The International Atomic Energy Agency said this week that Iran is in violation of non-proliferation agreements which aim to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. Iran says its uranium enrichment program is for peaceful purposes.