Tel Aviv [Israel], June 13 (ANI): Israel began a preemptive strike against Iran on Friday, according to Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, as reported by The Times of Israel.
Katz declared a state of emergency across the country in response to the operation in Iran.
“Following the State of Israel’s preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future,” The Times of Israel quoted Katz as saying.
Katz stated that he had signed “a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel.”
“You must obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas,” Katz added.
Sirens wailed across Israel as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet and the airstrikes commenced.
According to The Times of Israel, the IDF Home Front Command clarified that the sirens were intended to notify Israelis of “a new situation.” Tzvika Tessler of the Home Front Command said there had been no attack on Israel at that time but warned of a possible “significant attack from the east” in the coming hours, potentially involving “heavy missiles” capable of reaching anywhere in the country.
The IDF confirmed it had launched an aerial campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear program.
Dozens of sites across Iran linked to the nuclear program and military facilities were being struck by the Israeli Air Force. The operation is named “Nation of Lions.”
According to the IDF, Iran possesses enough enriched uranium to construct multiple nuclear bombs within days, necessitating immediate action against the “imminent threat.”
The earlier sirens across Israel served as a preemptive alert ahead of a potential Iranian response.
“We Are at a Critical Juncture to Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons That Threaten Our
Tel Aviv [Israel], June 13 (ANI): Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz addressed senior military officials on Friday ahead of Israel’s strikes on Iran, emphasizing the IDF’s advanced operational and intelligence capabilities and identifying Iran’s nuclear ambitions as Israel’s foremost security threat.
“Upon taking office, I defined the thwarting of Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a top priority,” Katz stated. “Iran is more determined than ever to realize its vision of destroying Israel. We are at a critical juncture; if we miss it, we will have no way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons that threaten our existence.”
Addressing the current escalation, he said, “We have dealt with Iran’s proxies over the past year and a half, but now we are dealing with the head of the snake itself.”
Katz highlighted the IDF’s preparedness: “Over the years, and especially in recent months, the IDF has built exceptional capabilities in intelligence and operations, both defensive and offensive, which enable us to effectively confront the major challenges we face.”
Reflecting this readiness, IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin confirmed that Israel had launched a “precise, preemptive strike” in Iran.
Defrin stated that the airstrikes aimed to cripple Iran’s nuclear capabilities and were a direct response to the regime’s continuous threats and aggression against Israel.
“For years, the Iranian regime has called for the destruction of the State of Israel, planning and advancing concrete military plans to do so,” he said. “Over the past few months, intelligence has shown that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. This morning, the IDF began preemptive and precise strikes targeting the Iranian nuclear program to prevent the Iranian regime’s ability to build a nuclear bomb in the immediate timeframe.”
He added, “We have no choice. We are operating against an imminent and existential threat. We cannot allow the Iranian regime to obtain a nuclear weapon that would be a danger to Israel and the entire world.”
“This operation is for our right to exist here, for our future, and for our children’s future. The State of Israel has the right and the obligation to protect its people and will continue to do so,” he emphasized.
Defrin further confirmed that Israel is prepared for both offensive and defensive measures to protect its citizens. “The IDF conducted significant preparations for this operation. We are well-prepared both in defence and offence to defend ourselves. The IDF will continue to defend the State of Israel,” he said.
Meanwhile, as reported by The Times of Israel, explosions were heard in Natanz city in Iran’s central province of Isfahan, where a key nuclear facility is located.
“Loud explosions were heard in Natanz,” which hosts one of Iran’s main uranium enrichment sites, Iranian state TV confirmed.
Iran has two underground nuclear sites—Fordo and Natanz—and has been constructing tunnels in the surrounding mountains near Natanz, following suspected past Israeli sabotage attempts.
The Natanz site, located near the Shi’ite holy city of Qom south of Tehran, includes two main facilities: the vast, underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and the above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP), as noted by The Times of Israel. (ANI)
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