Netanyahu: Israel on path to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile threats

Prime Minister Netanyahu claims Israel now controls Tehran's airspace and is close to neutralising Iran’s nuclear and missile threats. Following Israel's surprise strike, Iran launched over 300 missiles in retaliation. Israel has imposed wartime media restrictions on sensitive operations

Jerusalem: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday claimed that Israel “controls the skies over Tehran” and asserted the country is “on the way” to achieving its goals of destroying Iran‘s nuclear and ballistic missile threats.

Referring to Israel’s freedom of movement in Tehran’s airspace — a point also made earlier in the day by Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari — Netanyahu, during a visit to the Tel Nof Airbase in central Israel, said, “This marks a turning point in the entire campaign.”

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The Israeli military said it had destroyed over 120 surface-to-surface missile launchers fired from Iran in overnight operations, adding that its aircraft now effectively control Tehran’s airspace.

Defence Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi accompanied Netanyahu during the airbase visit. “The Air Force controls the skies of Tehran. We are on our way to achieving our two objectives: eliminating the nuclear threat and the missile threat,” Netanyahu said.

He added, “We are on the path to victory, and this is being achieved — thanks to our heroic pilots and our incredible ground crews, who are doing exceptional work.”

Netanyahu claimed that Israel is targeting only Iranian regime assets, despite what he described as “full freedom of movement” in Iranian airspace. He accused Iran of deliberately attacking Israeli civilians.

“When we control the skies over Tehran, we strike regime targets. Unlike the criminal regime in Iran, which targets our citizens and comes to kill children and women,” he said.

He also claimed that the Israeli Air Force is warning Tehran residents to evacuate before launching strikes, in contrast to Iran’s alleged indiscriminate attacks.

At least 24 Israelis have been killed and over 300 injured in attacks launched by Iran since Friday, following Israel’s surprise strike under Operation Rising Lion.

According to the IDF, Tehran has fired 335 missiles — most of which were intercepted — along with over 100 drones, in retaliation for the Israeli offensive.

Meanwhile, wartime reporting restrictions have been imposed in Israel, limiting coverage of ongoing operations, planned strikes, damage to strategic sites or military infrastructure, and details related to the country’s essential services and operational capabilities.