Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hailed United States President Donald Trump’s decision to carry out airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, calling it a “historic turning point” that would reshape the future of the Middle East.
In a video statement posted shortly after the operation concluded, Mr Netanyahu thanked President Trump for what he described as a “bold and righteous” move, declaring that the action demonstrated the unmatched power of the United States.
“Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,” Netanyahu said.
Referring to the operation as a pivotal moment, he added, “History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons.”
The Israeli premier praised Operation Rising Lion, a series of recent Israeli covert missions against Iranian interests, but emphasised that the American strikes surpassed all in scale and impact.
“In Operation Rising Lion, Israel has done truly amazing things. But in tonight’s action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, America has been truly unsurpassed,” he said.
According to a senior White House official quoted by CBS News, President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke following the strikes. The United States reportedly informed Israel in advance of the operation.
The US Department of Defense confirmed that the military employed its most powerful non-nuclear weapon — the GBU-57A/B Massive Ordnance Penetrator — to target three nuclear sites: Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan. Two of the 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs were used on each site, a Pentagon source said.
Netanyahu, who has long campaigned for international action against Iran’s nuclear programme, reiterated his oft-repeated motto shared with Trump: “Peace through strength.”
“First comes strength, then comes peace,” he said, adding: “Tonight, President Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength.”
In his address, the Israeli leader expressed deep gratitude to the US president, stating, “President Trump, I thank you. The people of Israel thank you. The forces of civilisation thank you.”
“God bless America. God bless Israel and may God bless our unshakeable alliance, our unbreakable faith,” he concluded.
Iranian officials have yet to release a formal statement, and the extent of the damage to the nuclear sites remains unclear. The international community has expressed concern that the strikes could trigger a wider conflict in the region.
