Israel carried out a massive attack on Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure on Friday, using warplanes and drones smuggled into the country to target key facilities and assassinate top generals and scientists.
He noted that the strike was inevitable until the enemy came close to developing nuclear weapons.
The operation significantly increased the risk of a full-scale war between the states and plunged the already unstable region into further turmoil.
Iran responded swiftly by launching a swarm of drones towards Israel after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of a “severe response”.
A day earlier, Iran was criticized by the world's nuclear watchdog for failing to meet commitments aimed at preventing the development of nuclear weapons.
Israel has long threatened to carry out such a strike, and successive U.S. administrations have tried to prevent it, fearing it could spark a broader conflict in the Middle East and would be ineffective in destroying Iran's fragmented and secure nuclear program.
However, the circumstances brought about by the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 and the election of Donald Trump as US President created the conditions that allowed Israel to finally carry out its threats.
On the same day, Israel reported a strike on the Iranian nuclear facility in Isfahan.
Iran initially did not confirm the attack.
The Isfahan facility, about 350 kilometers (215 miles) southeast of Tehran, employs thousands of nuclear energy workers.
It is also home to three Chinese research reactors and laboratories related to the country's nuclear program.
Israel has notified the Trump administration of the planned large-scale attacks, according to American and Israeli officials.
On Wednesday, the United States recalled some of its diplomats from Baghdad and offered voluntary evacuation to the families of American troops in the Middle East.
The United States is also moving military assets, including ships, to the region in response to Israeli strikes on Iran and possible retaliation by Tehran, two U.S. officials said.
Countries in the region condemned the Israeli attack, while world leaders called for immediate de-escalation on both sides. Iran has requested an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
The Israeli military said the initial attack involved about 200 aircraft hitting 100 targets.
The Mossad spy agency had pre-positioned explosive drones and precision weapons in Iran and used them to target Iranian air defense systems and missile launchers near Tehran, two security officials said.
Among the key sites attacked by Israel was Iran's main uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, where black smoke was rising.
An Iranian news agency close to the government, which reported hearing explosions nearby, also likely struck a second, smaller nuclear enrichment facility at Fordow, about 60 miles from Tehran.
Israel also reported destroying dozens of radar stations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
