Washington and Jerusalem’s Objectives
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the assault as a “pre-emptive strike” designed to remove looming threats, warning Israelis to brace for retaliation.
Trump, in a video message, said the campaign aimed to “destroy their missiles and raze their missile industry,” vowing to obliterate Iran’s naval capabilities and dismantle its regional proxy network. He reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons.
The statement followed weeks of escalating warnings from Washington demanding a new nuclear agreement. Tehran maintains its nuclear program is strictly peaceful.
Trump offered Iranian security forces what he called “complete immunity” if they laid down arms — or “certain death” if they resisted — and told civilians to prepare for sweeping change once the bombing ends.
Netanyahu echoed that message, saying the operation would “create the conditions” for Iranians to seize their future and remove what he called tyranny. Later, he said the strikes eliminated Revolutionary Guard commanders and senior nuclear officials.
The U.S. military’s Central Command said the operation targeted command centers, missile launch sites, drone facilities, air defenses and military airfields to dismantle Iran’s security apparatus.
The Israel Defense Forces said roughly 200 fighter jets dropped hundreds of munitions on about 500 targets in western and central Iran, severely degrading offensive capabilities.
Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF chief of staff, said the joint operation followed months of deep planning between U.S. and Israeli military leadership, dating back to last June’s 12-day conflict during which the U.S. struck three major Iranian nuclear facilities.
