Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Monday that a recent military strike on Iran targeted a critical element of Tehran's nuclear program, alongside significant blows to its defense and missile production capabilities. Speaking in a Knesset address, Netanyahu stated that Israel's October operation had "degraded" Iran's military strength and specifically impacted its nuclear ambitions.
"There is a specific component in their nuclear program that was hit in this attack," Netanyahu emphasized. While he did not elaborate on the exact nature of the target, the prime minister noted that Iran's nuclear trajectory remains a formidable threat. "The path to a nuclear weapon has not been blocked," he said, adding, "We've delayed it... but it has progressed."
The strike, carried out by Israeli fighter jets on October 26, marked an escalation following months of heightened tension. The operation reportedly destroyed Iran's remaining Russian-supplied S-300 surface-to-air missile defense batteries around Tehran, building on a similar offensive in April. Netanyahu highlighted that Israel had also inflicted "serious damage" on Iran's capacity to produce solid fuel for long-range ballistic missiles.
Netanyahu's remarks shed light on the broader strategic calculations behind Israel's actions. "The imperative to stop Iran's march to the bomb is on us," he said, underscoring Israel's resolve to address what it views as a direct existential threat.
Iran, however, has reacted sharply. In a response issued by its foreign ministry, spokesperson Esmail Baghaei warned of "a decisive response" to Israel's airstrikes, emphasizing that any attack on its nuclear facilities would violate international norms. "In defending our territorial integrity and sovereignty, we seek no one's permission," Baghaei declared during a press briefing.
The October 26 strikes reportedly targeted Iranian military assets, including air defense installations. The escalation follows a barrage of ballistic missiles fired by Iran at Israeli targets earlier that month, adding fuel to an already volatile regional dynamic.
Netanyahu's comments come as diplomatic tensions over Iran's nuclear program continue to simmer. The Israeli leader has been vocal in international circles, recently discussing Iran with U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump. Israel has long maintained that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities is a top national security priority.
Iran, meanwhile, has accused Israel of endangering regional stability and violating international law. Baghaei referenced a 1990 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) resolution that calls for the protection of nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes, though it remains contested whether all of Iran's sites qualify under this provision. "The United Nations must provide a decisive response to threats against nuclear facilities," he said.
Adding to the complex web of regional politics, Iran's foreign policy has leaned heavily on supporting allied militia groups, reinforcing its broader strategic aims. The stakes remain high as Tehran's nuclear ambitions continue to raise alarms in Western capitals, and Israel's defense establishment closely monitors every development.
The recent escalation underscores the fragile security landscape in the Middle East, where rivalries play out with global ramifications. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized the vulnerability of Iranian nuclear sites, asserting that the October strikes had rendered them "more exposed than ever." Katz said, "Achieving the most important goal, to thwart and remove the threat of annihilation hanging over the State of Israel, remains paramount."
Iran's commitment to preserving its nuclear capabilities has repeatedly strained its relations with the international community. While talks to revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) have faced obstacles, Iran's enrichment activities and its strategic maneuvers remain under intense scrutiny. Baghaei insisted that Iran remains open to dialogue, despite ongoing concerns about its nuclear trajectory.
