In a statement following the large-scale airstrikes on Iranian soil early Friday, Amb. Weiss outlined the rationale behind the operation, saying Iran’s accelerating nuclear weapons programme left Israel with no choice but to act decisively.
“Iran is only moments away from a nuclear weapon,” Weiss told IGIHE. “The threat posed by Iran is imminent, and Israel had no choice but to remove it before it is too late.”
The airstrikes, which marked one of the most extensive attacks on Iranian territory since the 1980s war with Iraq, targeted key elements of Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure. Among the targets was the uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, where the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) later confirmed damage and said it was monitoring radiation levels.
According to Israeli military officials, the operation involved approximately 200 aircraft striking around 100 locations tied to Iran’s nuclear development and missile delivery systems.
The Iranian regime, long accused by Israel of pursuing nuclear weapons under the guise of a peaceful programme, was described by Weiss as having “deceived the world” and “conducted negotiations in bad faith” while continuing to enrich uranium and advance weaponisation efforts.
IAEA reports, she noted, prove beyond doubt that Iran’s programme is intended for military purposes.
The Friday strikes killed several senior Iranian military figures, including Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of the Revolutionary Guard, and Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of the armed forces. Several top scientists associated with Iran’s nuclear programme were also reported dead, although their names have not been officially released.
In response, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israel in a retaliatory move. Most of them were intercepted, according to Israeli defense officials.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned the attack as a “wicked crime” and vowed “severe punishment,” claiming that residential areas were also hit. Israel, however, has insisted that its campaign is precisely targeted at military infrastructure and not civilians.
“Israel is not targeting the Iranian people,” Weiss emphasised. “We are acting against radical forces that threaten our security. Every feasible measure is being taken to minimise harm to uninvolved civilians.”
The ambassador further accused Tehran of being the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, saying that for years it has used its resources to build a military apparatus designed to fulfil its leaders’ repeated and explicit calls for Israel’s destruction.
She cited a statement made just last month by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, who referred to Israel as a “lethal, dangerous, cancerous tumor” that should be “eradicated.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed that sentiment in a televised address, calling the operation “a battle for Israel’s survival” and expressing hope that it would lead to the dismantling of what he called a “brutal dictatorship.”
The timing of Israel’s operation follows increasing international scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear activities. Just a day before the attack, the IAEA Board of Governors issued a formal censure against Iran for its refusal to fully cooperate with inspections.
Meanwhile, the United States, which had been engaged in nuclear negotiations with Iran, distanced itself from the strike. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that Washington had not participated and was now focused on protecting American personnel in the region.
As Iran warns that “the gates of hell will open” in retaliation, U.S. President Donald Trump said it is not too late for Iran to halt the Israeli attacks by agreeing to curb its nuclear programme.
