Netanyahu: Israel’s surprise opening strike on Iran was ‘very successful’

By Lazar Berman

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13 June 2025, 7:03 am

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Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (C) gives a statement on June 13, 2025 (Screen grab/GPO)

Israel’s surprise opening strike on Iran was “very successful,” says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

“We struck the senior command, we struck senior scientists that advance development of nuclear weapons, we struck nuclear installations,” he says in a video statement, sitting alongside Defense Minister Israel Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Shas party chief Aryeh Deri and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

“We are racking up achievements,” he continues, “but I know, and you know, there are no easy wars.”

Israelis may well have to spend “far longer periods in shelters than we were accustomed to until now.”