Netanyahu declares victory: “Israel surpassed all goals” in Tehran strikes

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's adviser Dmitry Gendelman released an official statement on June 24 regarding the cessation of hostilities, stating that Israel had not only met but exceeded the objectives of Operation “Rising Lion.” 

The message was posted via Gendelman’s official Telegram channel, per Caliber.Az.

According to the statement, “Last night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a meeting of the Security Cabinet with the participation of the Minister of Defense, the Chief of the General Staff, and the head of Mossad to announce: Israel not only achieved all the goals of Operation ‘With Lion’s Courage’ — it surpassed them.”

The statement emphasised that Israel had “eliminated the immediate existential dual threat — in the nuclear sphere and in the area of ballistic missiles.”

It continued by stating that “the Israel Defence Forces established full control over Tehran’s airspace, delivered a crushing blow to Iran’s senior military leadership, and destroyed dozens of key state infrastructure facilities.”

In the final 24 hours of the operation, “the IDF continued to strike centres of power in the heart of Tehran, eliminated hundreds of Basij militants — the repressive tool of the terrorist regime — and killed another senior specialist in Iran’s nuclear program.”

The Israeli government expressed appreciation to Washington, declaring: “Israel expresses gratitude to President Trump and the United States of America for their support and for their role in eliminating the Iranian nuclear threat.”

As the statement noted, “In light of the strategic goals of the operation being achieved, and in full coordination with President Trump, Israel accepted his initiative for a bilateral ceasefire.”

It warned, however, that “Israel will respond with maximum determination to any violation of the ceasefire conditions.”

Citizens were urged to remain vigilant: “Israeli citizens must continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command until full confirmation of the ceasefire's observance.”

The statement offered condolences to the bereaved and injured: “We express our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones and wish a speedy recovery to all the wounded.”

It concluded with a declaration of national achievement: “Operation ‘Rising Lion’ became an outstanding historical achievement of the State of Israel, elevating us to the ranks of world powers. It is a great victory of the people of Israel and its soldiers, who eliminated two existential threats to our state and ensured the immortality of Israel.”

The statement ended by noting that “the Prime Minister will deliver an official address during the day.”

By Tamilla Hasanova