In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu early Friday announced the launch of ‘Operation Rising Lion’, claiming significant strikes against the Islamic regime’s nuclear programme, including its primary enrichment facility in Natanz. The audacious operation, according to Netanyahu, aims to unequivocally thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions and safeguard Israel’s existence.
Meanwhile, a palpable sense of unease gripped Indian nationals residing in Iran. The Indian Embassy in Tehran swiftly issued an advisory on X, urging vigilance and caution. “In view of the current situation in Iran, all Indian nationals & persons of Indian origin in Iran are requested to remain vigilant, avoid all unnecessary movements, follow the Embassy’s Social Media accounts & observe safety protocols as advised by local authorities,” the post read, underscoring the seriousness of the unfolding geopolitical situation.
Netanyahu, in a video message released in the wee hours of Friday, asserted that ‘Operation Rising Lion’ is a targeted military endeavour designed to roll back the existential threat posed by Iran. He vowed the operation would continue “for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.” The Israeli leader claimed that for decades, Tehran’s “tyrants” have openly called for Israel’s destruction and have backed this “genocidal rhetoric” with a nuclear weapons programme. He specifically highlighted Iran’s reported production of enough highly-enriched uranium for “nine atom bombs” and recent steps towards weaponisation, warning that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon “in a very short time,” potentially within months.
Drawing parallels to the Nazi Holocaust and invoking the message of “Never Again,” Netanyahu passionately declared that Israel would not fall victim to a nuclear holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime. He unequivocally stated, “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 detailed the targets of the strike, claiming hits at the “heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme” and its “nuclear weaponisation programme.” Specific mentions included the main enrichment facility in Natanz, leading nuclear scientists involved in the Iranian bomb project, and Iran’s ballistic missile programme.
Beyond the nuclear threat, Netanyahu also raised concerns about Iran’s alleged missile development programme, claiming a target of producing 10,000 missiles within three years. He painted a grim picture, asking to “imagine 10,000 tonnes of TNT landing on a country the size of New Jersey,” justifying the preemptive attack as an “intolerable threat” that “must be stopped.” He further asserted that Iran was working on a “new plan to destroy Israel” after its “old plan” and “horrible attack of October 7” failed. The Israeli leader commended his soldiers and citizens for their resilience and expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump for his unwavering support in preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Media reports, however, indicated that the US remained uninvolved in the attack, a stance reportedly made clear in advance.
Netanyahu reiterated that Israel’s “fight is against the brutal dictatorship” in Iran, not its people. Emphasising lessons from World War II regarding the “failure to act” against imminent signs, the Israeli leader invoked biblical teachings, stating, “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.” He concluded with a stark warning: “We have learnt the lessons of never again. When enemies threaten to destroy you, believe them.” Following the strikes, a special state of emergency was declared across Israel, with loud sirens wailing around 3 am local time, prompting citizens to rush to shelters before the news of the preemptive attack became public.
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