Shortly after Israeli forces launched attacks on Iran’s nuclear and military sites, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the world. In a seven-minute English video released on YouTube, he claimed Israel feared a “nuclear Holocaust,” referencing past Jewish suffering under the Nazis.
Israel Launches Operation Rising Lion
Netanyahu opened by announcing Operation Rising Lion, saying Israel aimed to stop Iran’s growing nuclear threat. He said, “Israel launched ‘Operation Rising Lion’, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival,” and added that it would last “as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”
Iran’s Uranium Alarmed Israel
He explained that Iran had enriched enough uranium for nine nuclear bombs. Netanyahu warned, “Iran has produced enough highly-enriched uranium for nine atom bombs – nine.” He also claimed Iran had recently started steps to weaponize it, saying, “Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time... within a few months – it could be less than a year.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) June 13, 2025
"Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.
This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat." pic.twitter.com/3c8oF1GCYa
Comparing Threat to the Holocaust
Referring to the past, he reminded the world that, “Eighty years ago, the Jewish people were the victims of a Holocaust,” but stressed that now, “the Jewish state refuses to be a victim of a nuclear Holocaust perpetrated by the Iranian regime.”
Key Targets in Iran Hit
Netanyahu listed the targets. He said Israeli forces struck “the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment programme,” as well as “leading nuclear scientists working on the uranium bomb.” Netanyahu added that they also hit “the heart of Iran’s ballistic missile programme.”
He warned that Iran could soon produce 10,000 missiles, each able to carry a ton of explosives. He asked the world to “imagine 10,000 tons of TNT landing on a country the size of New Jersey,” and called it “an intolerable threat.”
Iran’s Previous Attacks Cited
Netanyahu blamed Iran and its proxies for previous violence, especially the October 7 attack. He said, “Iran and its proxies tried to encircle Israel with a ring of fire,” and added that, “we crushed Hamas” and “devastated Hezbollah.”
Strikes Aimed to Help the Region
He claimed the attacks also helped Israel’s neighbors. According to Netanyahu, “Our actions against Iran’s proxy Hezbollah led to the establishment of a new government in Lebanon,” and even “the collapse of Assad’s murderous regime in Syria.”
Message to Iranian People
To separate the Iranian public from its leadership, Netanyahu said, “Our fight is not with you,” but instead with “the brutal dictatorship that has oppressed you for 46 years.” He expressed hope that their “day of liberation is near.”
Global Security Concerns
Netanyahu warned that Iran could share nuclear weapons with terrorists, saying this would “make the nightmare of nuclear terrorism all too real.” He added that Iran’s expanding missile range could bring nuclear threats to “the cities of Europe and eventually to America.”
He reminded viewers that, “Iran calls Israel the small Satan” and “America the great Satan.” This, he said, is why “they’ve led millions in the chants of death to Israel and death to America.”
Praise for Trump, Call for Action
Netanyahu thanked Donald Trump for his stance, saying, “I want to thank President Trump for his leadership in confronting Iran’s nuclear weapons programme.” He accused Iran of “just buying time” and avoiding real peace deals.
Warning against repeating past mistakes, he said many leaders failed to act against Nazi Germany. “They adopted a policy of appeasement,” he said, which led to “World War II, the deadliest war in history.”
Ending with Resolve
He ended his speech with a message of courage and determination. Quoting the Bible, Netanyahu said, “Be strong and courageous.” He added that Israel “has shown that we have learned the lessons of history.”
He closed by saying, “Our strong and courageous soldiers and people stand together to defend ourselves,” and predicted that history will say, “our generation stood its ground, acted in time, and secured our common future.”
Finally, he declared, “May God bless Israel. May God bless the forces of civilisation everywhere.”