Image: from Open Source Intel X @Osint613
By The Open Chronicle Editorial Staff
JERUSALEM — Amidst the rapid escalation of “Operation Roaring Lion,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally declared three central objectives in the ongoing conflict with Iran, signaling a mission that extends far beyond immediate tactical strikes.
In a televised address that sought to both reassure the Israeli public and send a defiant message to Tehran, Netanyahu described the conflict as a “War of Redemption.” He asserted that the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign has already significantly “decimated” the Islamic Republic’s military infrastructure, claiming that after 20 days of intensive warfare, Iran has lost its capacity to enrich uranium and manufacture ballistic missiles.
The Three Strategic Pillars
The Prime Minister’s doctrine for the war rests on three non-negotiable goals:
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Elimination of the Nuclear Threat: Netanyahu emphasized that the foremost goal is to permanently dismantle Iran’s nuclear program, particularly before facilities are moved “deep underground” and become immune to aerial bombardment.
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Dismantling Ballistic Missile Capabilities: The second goal targets Iran’s vast array of long-range missiles and production plants, which Netanyahu described as an existential threat not only to Israel but to the entire world.
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Enabling Iranian ‘Freedom’: In a notable addition to the war’s scope, Netanyahu declared a third objective: “Creating the conditions” for the Iranian people to overthrow the clerical regime. He addressed the citizens of Iran directly, stating that while Israel stands by them, the “moment of truth” for their liberation depends on their own resolve.
‘I Am Alive’: Squashing Rumors
The press conference began on a personal note, with Netanyahu directly addressing recent rumors regarding his health and status during the fog of war. “First of all, I just want to say, I’m alive, and you’re all witnesses,” he told the foreign press, appearing in high spirits and projecting an image of strong leadership.
Netanyahu also took the opportunity to hail the “visionary leadership” of U.S. President Donald Trump, noting that the partnership between the two nations has reached an “unprecedented strength.” He downplayed reports of a rift over the recent unilateral strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, stating that while Israel acted alone in that specific instance, the broader campaign remains tightly coordinated.
A New Middle East?
The Prime Minister’s rhetoric suggests that Israel does not intend to settle for a mere ceasefire. By framing the goal as a total shift in the Iranian leadership, the Israeli government is signaling that the current conflict is intended to permanently reshape the regional power balance.
“This is no longer the same Iran, it is no longer the same Middle East,” Netanyahu declared. “We do not wait. We initiate, we attack, and we do so with a force that is unprecedented.”