Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that global leaders have expressed admiration for the determination and accomplishments of the Israeli Defense Forces amid the ongoing military campaign against Iran.
The conflict escalated last Friday with the launch of 'Operation Rising Lion,' a targeted military offensive aimed at neutralising Iran's nuclear capabilities and missile threats. The announcement triggered swift retaliation from Tehran, raising fears of a broader regional war.
Addressing the nation on Wednesday, Netanyahu stated, "I speak with world leaders, and they are very impressed by our determination and the achievements of our forces. They are also greatly impressed by you, the citizens of Israel&mdash;by your resilience and strong spirit."
He thanked former U.S. President Donald Trump for his consistent support. &ldquo;President Trump is a true friend of Israel. We speak often, including last night. I deeply appreciate his backing and the U.S. support in defending Israeli airspace.&rdquo;
Netanyahu emphasized that Operation Rising Lion is designed to eliminate two major existential threats to Israel: Iran&rsquo;s nuclear ambitions and its ballistic missile capabilities.
&ldquo;We control the skies over Tehran,&rdquo; he claimed. &ldquo;We are striking the ayatollahs&rsquo; regime with significant force, targeting nuclear sites, missile bases, command centers, and regime symbols.&rdquo;
Acknowledging the cost of war, he admitted, &ldquo;We are suffering painful losses, but the Israeli home front remains strong. Our people are united, and the State of Israel is stronger than ever.&rdquo; He directed government agencies to provide support to those affected by the conflict.
Netanyahu also addressed ongoing combat in the Gaza Strip. &ldquo;Fighting there continues with intensity. Our objectives remain clear: to defeat Hamas and bring back all our hostages, both living and deceased.&rdquo;
He offered condolences for the Israeli soldiers killed in recent days, saying, &ldquo;We mourn their loss. On behalf of the government and the nation, we stand with the grieving families. We will fight until our mission is complete and Hamas is defeated.&rdquo; Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Global leaders laud Israeli strikes as Netanyahu vows to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and missile threats

Netanyahu: World Backs Israel’s War Efforts

Global leaders laud Israeli strikes as Netanyahu vows to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and missile threats

June 19, 2025 | 16:26 IST