New Delhi [India], June 13: In a major escalation, Israel launched a series of pre-emptive airstrikes on Iran under Operation Rising Lion, aiming to disrupt Iran’s alleged progress toward developing nuclear weapons. The strikes, carried out by over 200 Israeli fighter jets, reportedly eliminated key Iranian military leaders, including the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, the Commander of the IRGC, and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
In an exclusive interview with, Israeli Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, revealed that Iran currently possesses enough enriched uranium to make nine nuclear bombs. He emphasized that the trigger for the military action was the discovery of a clandestine Iranian group working to assemble a nuclear warhead on a ballistic missile.
“In the last few months, Iran accelerated uranium enrichment. We recently discovered efforts to assemble a nuclear warhead onto ballistic missiles—posing an immediate and existential threat to Israel,” Azar stated.
IAEA Confirms Violations by Iran
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has confirmed that Iran breached multiple safeguards agreements, engaging in illicit and undeclared nuclear activities beyond the permitted scope under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Azar warned,
“Iran has all three components necessary for a nuclear strike: missiles, fissile material, and now a warhead program. That’s unacceptable—not just for Israel, but for regional and global security.”
Israel Reiterates No Objection to Peaceful Nuclear Energy
While Israel has opposed Iran’s uranium enrichment capability, Azar clarified that the country does not object to Iran using nuclear energy for electricity, as long as fissile material is imported and monitored.
“It’s not about nuclear energy—it’s about enrichment capacity. Iran’s current setup allows them to stockpile weapons-grade material. That’s the danger,” he added.
‘Israel Acted with Maximum Restraint’
Defending the timing of the operation, Azar said Israel exercised restraint for years, hoping diplomatic efforts and sanctions would halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“We gave diplomacy every chance. The world tried. Sanctions were applied. But now we reached an imminent danger that we could no longer ignore,” Azar said.
“Even Arab nations understand the threat. Iran’s ambitions extend beyond Jerusalem—to Mecca and Medina. Their aim is dominance over the Islamic world.”
Massive Military Operation Confirmed
The IDF confirmed the high-profile Iranian targets were taken out in coordinated airstrikes across multiple Iranian facilities, with more than 200 fighter jets participating in the historic military campaign.