‘A changing face of the Middle East’: Netanyahu thanks Trump for strikes on Iran; India: ‘Control’ over Tehran’s skies –

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel and the United States have achieved almost complete control over Iranian airspace after a series of coordinated military strikes.

He added that the conflict is also a result of the October 7, 2023 attack.In a video message shared on Channel X in Hebrew, Netanyahu described the joint operations as a major strategic success. He said: “We have achieved almost complete control over the skies of Tehran.”

The Israeli leader said that the campaign was conducted in close coordination with Washington and with US President Donald Trump’s full understanding of what he described as the threat posed by Iran.

“I would like to thank my friend President Trump for the leadership he is showing,” Netanyahu said.

He explained that the joint effort, known as “Operation Rising Lion,” aims to remove what he called the direct threat to Israel. “In Operation Rising Lion, we united forces to remove the immediate danger from Israel,” he said.Netanyahu warned that Israel faces what he described as a serious and urgent threat from Iran.

“We are facing a very evil regime that plans to destroy us with atomic bombs and tens of thousands of missiles,” he said.According to Netanyahu, the Iranian leadership tried to secure its military capabilities by placing them in fortified underground facilities. He added, “Khamenei ordered the restoration of the capabilities and burying them underground so that they are fortified.” If that had happened, he would have used it to destroy the State of Israel and threaten the entire world.”He said that the timing of the intervention aims to prevent these plans and stop a possible attack on American and Israeli interests. “In this spirit, we, the United States and Israel, have taken action together to thwart these threats and allow the Iranian people to take their fate into their own hands.”Netanyahu added: “There was a danger that Iran would attack American targets in the region and Israel first.” “For all these reasons, we moved on time.”Highlighting the results of the first week of the campaign, the Prime Minister said: “In the first week, we eliminated the dictator Khamenei, and destroyed hundreds of ballistic missile launchers,” adding that this measure “significantly reduces the threat to the State of Israel.”Netanyahu said the attack was also part of Israel’s broader strategy in the wake of the October 7 attacks. We have turned Israel into a regional power.

“All of this requires courage, initiative and risk.”Netanyahu explained: “As I promised you, two days after October 7, we are changing the face of the Middle East.” “But we did not just change the Middle East. First of all, we changed ourselves. Because after the great catastrophe of October 7, I decided to lead a polar shift, strong actions one after another, proactive and surprising actions, actions that dramatically change the balance of power between us and our enemies.

“Regarding the situation in Lebanon, Netanyahu warned the government there against implementing the ceasefire agreement and disarming Hezbollah. He said: “I repeat to the Lebanese government, your responsibility is to implement the ceasefire agreement and disarm Hezbollah.”He warned that failure to act could have dire consequences. “Take your fate into your own hands,” Netanyahu said, warning of “dire consequences for Lebanon” if Hezbollah is not disarmed.Addressing members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Netanyahu issued a direct warning. He said: “For the Revolutionary Guard members, you are also in our range.” “Whoever drops his weapon will not be harmed, and whoever does not will pay the price.”He also noted that Israel has prepared additional measures aimed at weakening the Iranian government.Speaking directly to Iranian citizens, Netanyahu described the conflict as a mission to free them from their current leadership.

He said: “To the Iranian people, we seek to liberate Iran.” But ultimately, freedom from the yoke of tyranny depends on you, the Iranian people.”He expressed his hope that relations between the two countries would improve in the future. He said: “I believe that if you stand in the moment of truth, the day will not be far when Israel and Iran return to courageous friendship.”Netanyahu said that the Iranian leadership poses a threat that goes beyond Israel.

“Today, everyone realizes that the Ayatollahs’ regime is endangering the entire world,” he said, claiming that Iran had attacked several countries in the region.He also criticized the United Nations for what he described as double standards in its dealings with regional conflicts. “The countries around us see the hypocrisy of the United Nations,” Netanyahu said, noting that it condemns Israel “without reason in our just war against Iran’s murderous proxies in Gaza,” while doing nothing “in the face of the mass slaughter in Iran.”Netanyahu concluded by saying that many countries now view Israel as a reliable partner and expect broader regional cooperation in the future. “Many countries today are seeing precisely who they can trust,” he said. “Thanks to this initiative, we will significantly expand the circle of peace around us.”Netanyahu added: “Together we will continue to stand firm.” “Together we will roar like a lion, and with God’s help, together we will secure Israel’s eternity.”