Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Israel and the United States had nearly achieved total control over Iranian airspace in a Saturday evening address to the nation.
“We achieved almost complete control over the skies of Tehran,” said Netanyahu.
The prime minister asserted that the military operations, in coordination with the US, came with understanding from US President Donald Trump regarding the magnitude of danger Iran posed not only to it but to the broader international community.
“We have turned Israel into a regional power. All of this requires courage, initiative, and taking risks,” Netanyahu added, while also pointing out that this was a goal of his government since the Hamas-led October 7 massacre in 2023.
“As I promised you two days after October 7, we are changing the face of the Middle East,” he explained. “But we didn’t just change the Middle East. First and foremost, we changed ourselves. Because after the great disaster of October 7, I decided to lead a polar shift: Powerful actions one after another, proactive and surprising actions, actions that dramatically change the balance of power between us and our enemies.”
The changing face of the Middle East
Netanyahu warned that Israel was confronting what he described as a grave and immediate threat from the Iranian regime, which he said had sought to expand its military capabilities in order to attack Israel and other countries.
“We are facing an extremely evil regime that is plotting to destroy us with atomic bombs and tens of thousands of missiles,” stated Netanyahu.
The prime minister also thanked US President Donald Trump for what he described as strong leadership during the operation.
“I would like to thank my friend President Trump for the leadership he is showing,” he said.
Netanyahu emphasized that the joint operation between Israel and the United States aimed to remove what he called an immediate danger to Israel.
“In Operation Rising Lion, we combined forces to remove immediate danger from Israel,” Netanyahu said.
According to the prime minister, Iran’s leadership had attempted to hide and rebuild critical capabilities underground to shield them from attack.
“Khamenei ordered the capabilities to be restored and buried underground so that they would be immune,” continued Netanyahu. “If that had happened, he would have used it to destroy the State of Israel and threaten the entire world.”
He stated that Israel and the United States acted together to prevent those plans from materializing.
“From this foresight, we, the United States and Israel, took action together to thwart these threats and allow the Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands.”
Netanyahu reiterated that the decision to act was also driven by fears that Iran could strike US and Israeli targets in the region.
“There was a danger that Iran would attack American targets in the region and Israel first,” Netanyahu continued, “and for all these reasons, we acted at the appointed time.”
The successes of Operation Roaring Lion
Netanyahu also listed several achievements from the early phase of the campaign, including the destruction of ballistic missile infrastructure.
“In the first week, we eliminated the dictator Khamenei, we destroyed hundreds of ballistic missile launchers,” said Netanyahu, “which reduces the threat to the State of Israel.”
Turning to Lebanon, Netanyahu said the Lebanese government bears responsibility for enforcing the ceasefire agreement and disarming Hezbollah.
“I repeat to the Lebanese government,” the prime minister stated, “your responsibility is to enforce the ceasefire agreement and disarm Hezbollah.”
He warned that failure to do so could have serious consequences for Lebanon.
“If you do not do this, there will be disastrous consequences for Lebanon,” said Netanyahu. “Take your fate into your own hands.”
Netanyahu also issued a warning to members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“To the Revolutionary Guards operatives: You, too, are in our crosshairs,” Netanyahu warned. “Whoever lays down his weapon, no harm will come to him. He who does not will pay the price.”
He suggested that Israel had prepared further steps aimed at weakening the Iranian government.
“We have a well-organized plan with many surprises to undermine the government and enable change,” said Netanyahu.
Netanyahu addresses the Iranian people
Addressing the Iranian public directly, Netanyahu said that the country’s future ultimately rests with its citizens.
“To the Iranian people – we seek to liberate Iran,” explained Netanyahu, “but at the end of the day, liberation from the yoke of tyranny will depend on you, the Iranian people.”
He said improved relations between Israel and Iran could one day be possible.
“I believe that if you [Iranians] stand up at the moment of truth, the day will not be far off when Israel and Iran return to being brave friends,” said Netanyahu.
The prime minister argued that the Iranian regime poses a threat not only to Israel but to many countries in the region.
“Today, everyone understands that the regime of the ayatollahs endangers the entire world,” he argued. “Iran attacked 12 countries around it. We stand by them, and they see our great military and technological capabilities. Many countries are turning to us for cooperation.”
“The countries around us see the hypocrisy of the UN,” continued Netanyahu, “which condemned us without reason in our just war against Iran’s murderous proxies in Gaza, yet that same UN did nothing in the face of the mass slaughter in Iran.”
“Many countries today see exactly who can be trusted,” Netanyahu stated. “Thanks to this initiative, we will bring a dramatic expansion of the circle of peace around us.”
He concluded by saying that Israel would continue its campaign against the Iranian regime.
“Together we will continue to stand firm,” concluded Netanyahu, “together we will roar like a lion, and with God’s help, together we will ensure the eternity of Israel.”