Israel’s Ops ‘Rising Lion’ Kills 18 In Iran; Netanyahu Confirms Months-Long Planning As Khamenei Vows Retaliation — Updates

<p data-pm-slice=”1 1 []”><strong>Israel-Iran Conflict:</strong> The death toll from the Israeli strikes in northwestern Iran increased to 18 on Friday, reports The Times Of Israel citing state media. &ldquo;So far, as a result of this brutal aggression, 18 individuals have attained martyrdom, and 35 of our fellow citizens have been injured,&rdquo; state news agency IRNA quotes East Azerbaijan provincial authorities as saying. It has also reported attacks on 11 locations in the province.</p>
<p>The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed today that the large-scale military operation against Iran, codenamed ‘Operation Rising Lion’, was authorised over six months ago, in November 2024, and was initially scheduled for April 2025. In a recorded speech in Hebrew, the prime minister provided updates about the operation to citizens.</p>
<h2>Operation against Iranian nukes was planned for April 2025: Netanyahu</h2>
<p>Netanyahu said that the offensive, aimed at dismantling Iran&rsquo;s nuclear capabilities, was initially scheduled for April 2025 but was postponed due to the operational considerations.</p>
<p>&ldquo;I gave instructions to the defence establishment more than half-a-year ago, in November 2024, to eliminate the (Iran’s) nuclear programme,&rdquo; the Israeli Premier said.</p>
<p>It didn’t succeed in happening exactly on that date, and the precise date was determined on the recommendation of the IDF, in consultation with the Chief of Staff and the Defence Minister,&rdquo; he added.</p>
<p>He also showed a paper and claimed it was that of its authorisation and said that the operation was planned for April this year.</p>
<p>&ldquo;This didn’t happen by chance or for trivial reasons – if Iran has nuclear weapons, we simply won’t be here,&rdquo; he emphasised.</p>
<p>Cautioning citizens, Netanyahu said them not to be in euphoria over the success of the operation and to stay calm and vigilant. He asserted that there would be retaliation and maybe a price to pay. Netanyahu also touched upon the issue of American support for the attack, which was not extended in view of Washington’s negotiations with Iran, but expressed faith that it would be there given that US President Donald Trump has made it clear that Iran cannot acquire nuclear capabilities.</p>
<h2>Iran&rsquo;s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Issues Warning</h2>
<p data-pm-slice=”1 1 []”>Iran&rsquo;s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a warning and declared that the Iranian armed forces will act &ldquo;with strength” and &ldquo;bring the vile Zionist regime to its knees.” In a televised message according, to News18, Ali said, &ldquo;The Zionist regime will not escape unscathed from this crime,” assuring the Iranian public that &ldquo;there will be no negligence in this matter.”</p>
<h2>Israeli PM Netanyahu speaks to PM Modi, other world leaders</h2>
<p>Earlier, Netanyahu spoke to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Beginning last night, Netanyahu has held conversations with world leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Indian Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron,&nbsp;the Prime Minister’s Office said in a brief statement. He is due to speak with US President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, it added; his office said.</p>
<p>Israel Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also reached out to S Jaishankar.</p>
<p>The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said earlier that all the Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories. The MEA issued the statement as tensions between Iran and Israel escalated following the strikes.</p>
<p>Israel on Friday launched Operation Rising Lion to strike at Iran’s nuclear, missile and military complex, which left key military commanders and nuclear scientists dead. The Israeli Army also released a video from one of the strikes, which has been reported in the media.</p>
<p>(With inputs from PTI.)</p>