Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Saturday that Israel will press ahead “with all our force” in its war against Iran, claiming near-total control of Tehran’s skies after a week of joint strikes with the United States.
In a televised address, Netanyahu said Israel has a “systematic plan to eradicate the Iranian regime,” adding that the campaign has already shifted the balance of power in the Middle East. He praised Israeli and American pilots for their bombing campaign, which the military reported has carried out 3,400 strikes and dropped 7,500 munitions in the first week of fighting.
The offensive began last Saturday with strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In response, Iran’s Assembly of Experts announced it will convene within 24 hours to select a new supreme leader, urging citizens to avoid speculation until the decision is made.
Meanwhile, the United States condemned Iran’s drone attacks on Azerbaijan’s Nakhchivan region earlier in the week, calling them an “unprovoked escalation” that injured civilians and violated Azerbaijan’s sovereignty. Washington pledged firm support for its partners in the region against Iranian aggression.
