Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on June 8 (IST) that Israel conducted what he described as “historic strikes” overnight aimed at preventing a potential nuclear attack against Israel.
Reiterating his long-standing position, Netanyahu declared that Iran would not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, framing the military action as part of Israel’s broader security doctrine. He also claimed that Iran had been weakened and that Israel’s operational capabilities had strengthened significantly.
He further alleged that Iran and the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah had coordinated hostile plans against Israel, including an attempted large-scale incursion into northern Israel and a missile offensive involving tens of thousands of rockets.
According to Netanyahu, Hezbollah had planned to “invade the Galilee” using thousands of fighters while simultaneously launching extensive rocket attacks targeting Israeli cities. He said Israel was continuing operations to dismantle militant infrastructure along its security zones.
“Our campaign against them is not yet over,” Netanyahu stated, adding that Israel would persist in its efforts to counter perceived threats from both Iran and Hezbollah.
Netanyahu further warned that if Iran resumes attacks, Israel would respond “forcefully,” asserting Israel’s right to self-defence. He also said that Israel would continue working to restore security in northern Israel.
Prime Minister Netanyahu's message comes after Israel said on Monday it carried out strikes on a petrochemical plant in southwest Iran along with other military targets, following US President Donald Trump’s advice to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid further escalation.
The strikes hit the Mahshahr petrochemical complex, marking the first attack on an Iranian energy facility since the April 8 ceasefire. A provincial official told Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency that parts of the plant sustained damage.
