Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu officially confirmed on Tuesday the successful assassinations of two top Iranian officials: Ali Larijani and Abbas Reza Soleimani. In a televised address, Netanyahu framed the strikes as a strategic move to dismantle the "Ayatollah regime" and empower the Iranian people to reclaim their country.
Direct Hits on the "Gangster" Leadership
Netanyahu described the targets in stark terms, identifying Larijani as the "boss" of the Revolutionary Guard.
- Ali Larijani: "The boss of the IRGC, the gang of gangsters actually running Iran," Netanyahu stated.
- Abbas Reza Soleimani: Identified as the Commander of the Basij, Netanyahu labeled them "the gangsters' assistants who spread terror against the population in the streets of Tehran."
The Prime Minister confirmed that Israel is operating deep within Iranian territory using a combination of Air Force fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The Strategy: A "Tectonic" Shift
Netanyahu emphasized that while the collapse of the regime may not be immediate, the persistent military pressure is designed to create a historic opening for the Iranian public.
"We are destabilizing this regime in the hope of giving the Iranian people an opportunity to remove it. It won't happen all at once... but if we persist, we will give them the chance to take their fate into their own hands."
The U.S.-Israel Alliance: "Fighting Shoulder to Shoulder"
The Prime Minister revealed that he held a lengthy discussion with U.S. President Donald Trump yesterday to coordinate joint operations.
- Military Cooperation: Netanyahu noted unprecedented synergy between the Israeli and American Air Forces and Navies in the Persian Gulf.
- Direct & Indirect Pressure: He promised "many more surprises," citing the biblical proverb "by way of deception thou shalt do war."
- Global Power: Netanyahu remarked that since the lows of October 7, Israel has transformed into a "tremendous, almost global power," fighting alongside the world's leading superpower.
Domestic Resilience and Economic Aid
Addressing the Israeli public, Netanyahu urged citizens to ignore "channels of gloom" and focus on the "historic achievements" being made. He also promised expanded economic support for those affected by the war, particularly in the North.
- Compensation: The PM has instructed officials to present an enlarged compensation outline, comparing the effort to previous large-scale aid packages during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A Call for Determination: "The most important thing to win a war is determination. Determination of the leaders, the commanders, and the people."
