Jerusalem, June 24 (UNI) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel had achieved all its military objectives prior to its ceasefire with Iran.
He claimed that the elimination of both Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities – which were Tel Aviv’s prime objectives – were achieved, and thanked US President Donald Trump for his support, reports Iran International.
In a statement issued by the Israeli government, Netanyahu said that attacks on Iran had successfully neutralised what he called a “dual immediate existential threat” to Israel.
He labelled the offensive – codenamed Operation Rising Lion – “a historical success”, adding that Israel had now “placed itself in line with the great powers of the world.”
According to the statement, the Israeli military have gained full air control over Tehran’s skies, inflicted severe damage on Iran’s military leadership, and struck dozens of government targets in and around the Iranian capital.
The attacks, as per the statement, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Basij operatives, identified by Israel as part of Iran’s internal security apparatus, as well as the killing of several Iranian nuclear scientists.
Israel did not provide independent evidence to support the scale of the alleged damage.
The Israeli government also said that the operation was carried out in coordination with Trump and concluded with a mutual ceasefire agreement, proposed by the US president.
“Israel thanks President Trump and the United States for their support in defence and their participation in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat,” the statement read.
Netanyahu is expected to deliver a formal address later in the day.
