New Delhi: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced “Operation Mount Sinai” in a joint campaign with the US to dismantle Iran’s Islamic Republic.
In a video address in Hebrew, posted on X through the Israeli prime minister’s official handle in Hebrew, PM Netanyahu called it a necessary operation to put an end to Tehran’s government, which he claimed poses an existential threat to Israel.
Netanyahu confirmed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had conducted a major strike on Iran’s high-value targets, including bases of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and the Basij, in coordination with the United States.
“At this time, the IDF is attacking the targets of the Dikuy regime, the bases of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij, and together with the US Army, the sites of ballistic missiles that threaten both Israel and the US forces,” added Netanyahu.
While claiming that Iran’s government has caused instability in the region for the last 47 years, he said, “This operation will continue as required. For 47 years, the regime in Iran has caused death to Israel, death to America. It has ravaged its citizens. It has destroyed the morale of the people of the region.”
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‘Nuclearisation’
Netanyahu underscored that the objective of the operation is to prevent Iran from developing weapons of mass destruction. He accused the Islamic Republic of using a false tactic, “cold & false negotiation” with the United States to gain time while hiding its nuclear and missile capabilities underground.
“If we do not act, we will have a nuclear Iran,” he added. “Iran, with ballistic missiles, will act to destroy us.”
He also praised the US president for his “determined leadership of the free world.”
Appeal to Iranians
Netanyahu also directly addressed the Iranian citizens, stating that, “You, citizens of Iran, and the Iranian army, are not our enemies, and we are not your enemies.”
He further said, “We have a common enemy, the murderous Ayatollahs, who have taken over you through the forces of oppression of the Revolutionary Guards and the Basij.”
Netanyahu emphasised that Israeli and American forces are there to assist them in establishing a “new and free Iran,” which is free from the exploitative pressure of the current leadership”.
He even offered a form of immunity to those within the Iranian police forces who choose not to resist, stating that anyone who raises their voice for peace “will ensure his peace and his future.”
(Edited by Ajeet Tiwari)
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