Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a video statement early Friday morning that Israeli Forces commenced “Operation Rising Lion,” directly striking Iran’s nuclear program.”

“As Prime Minister, I’ve made it clear time and again: Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation to develop the means to achieve that goal,” Netanyahu declared. “Tonight, Israel backs those words with action.”

Detailing the far-reaching extent of the operation currently unfolding in Iran, the Prime Minister stated, “We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear enrichment program. We struck at the heart of Iran’s nuclear weaponization program. We targeted Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz. We targeted Iran’s leading nuclear scientists working on the Iranian bomb. We also struck at the heart of Iran’s ballistic missile program.”

Netanyahu underscored that “this operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.”

Noting that “Iran has produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine atom bombs,” the Prime Minister stated that Tehran’s ballistic missiles are being targeted as well.

“Last year, Iran fired 300 ballistic missiles at Israel,” he highlighted. “Each of these missiles carries a ton of explosives and threatens the lives of hundreds of people. Soon, those missiles could carry a nuclear payload, threatening the lives not of hundreds but of millions.”

“Today, Israel has shown that we have learned the lessons of history. When enemies vow to destroy you, believe them. When enemies build weapons of mass death, stop them,” he said, describing the preemptive actions. “History will record that our generation stood its ground, acted in time, and secured our common future.”

The “opening strikes” involved 200 IAF fighter jets, operating on “precise intelligence” dropped over 330 munitions on over 100 targets across Iran, “including hiding places of senior Iranian military leaders,” the IDF revealed.

Later on Friday morning, Iran launched a retaliatory UAV attack against Israel, which failed after the entire wave of drones was intercepted prior to reaching Israeli territory.

The IDF stated that Iran had launched 100 UAVs, which would take several hours to make their way to Israel. The drones were eliminated midair outside Israel’s border by the IDF, with Jordan also reportedly shooting down some over their airspace.

The Home Front Command rescinded its orders for Israelis to remain close to bomb shelters.

President Trump: ‘Iran Must Make A Deal, Before There Is Nothing Left‘

President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran amid Israel’s vast operation, stating that the regime has an opportunity to make a deal now with his administration or face an “even more brutal” attack from the Jewish State.

“I gave Iran chance after chance to make a deal. I told them, in the strongest of words, to ‘just do it,’ but no matter how hard they tried, no matter how close they got, they just couldn’t get it done,” he posted on Truth Social. “I told them it would be much worse than anything they know, anticipated, or were told, that the United States makes the best and most lethal military equipment anywhere in the World, BY FAR, and that Israel has a lot of it, with much more to come – And they know how to use it.”

“Certain Iranian hardliner’s spoke bravely, but they didn’t know what was about to happen,” the President stated. “They are all DEAD now, and it will only get worse! There has already been great death and destruction, but there is still time to make this slaughter, with the next already planned attacks being even more brutal, come to an end. Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. God Bless You All!”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement, explained that the United States was given an advanced warning by Israel of the strikes and issued a warning to Iran not to target US personnel in the Middle East: “Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”

On Wednesday, the administration announced that they had evacuated the US embassy in Baghdad and also non-essential personnel throughout the region.

IRGC Commander, Other Iranian Officials Targeted

Explosions were heard across the country, including in Tehran and the city of Natanz, where Iran’s key nuclear facility is located. Fox News’ Chief Foreign Correspondent, Trey Yingst, reported that “regime leaders were simultaneously eliminated” in various locations across Iran.

Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that “several commanders and scientists” have been killed, adding that their “successors and colleagues will carry on with their duties without delay.”

The IDF confirmed that “Chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Commander of the IRGC and the Commander of Iran’s Emergency Command were all eliminated in the Israeli strikes across Iran by more than 200 fighter jets.”

IRGC commander Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami replaced Qassem Soleimani after his targeted elimination by the United States during President Trump’s first term in 2020.

“These are three ruthless mass murderers with international blood on their hands,” they underscored. “The world is a better place without them.”

The Times of Israel cited a statement by Israel’s Defense Minister, who revealed military assessments showing “most of the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps air force was eliminated in a strike.”

“The top brass of the IRGC’s air command had convened at an underground command center when the strike was carried out,” TOI further reported.

IDF Hits ‘Head Of The Snake,’ Prepares For Any Upcoming Iranian Retaliation

Israel Katz said that the Jewish State is now “dealing with the head of the snake” after decisively decimating Iran’s terror proxies in the region.

“Upon taking office, I defined the thwarting of Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a top priority,” he described. “Iran is more determined than ever to realize its vision of destroying Israel. We are at a critical juncture, if we miss it, we will have no way to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons that threaten our existence.”

“We have dealt with Iran’s proxies over the past year and a half, but now we are dealing with the head of the snake itself,” Katz underscored.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stated that tens of thousands of IDF soldiers have been mobilized, “preparing across all borders.”

“The Iranian regime will attempt to attack us in response,” he warned. “The expected cost will be different from what we are used to. We have been preparing this operation for a long time; unprecedented efforts have been made across all branches and directorates to achieve readiness against the tangible and present threat.”

Iranian Supreme Leader Khamenei warned that Israel will face “severe punishment” for its strikes, claiming: “With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see.”

IDF Declassifies Evidence Showing Extent of Iran Nuclear Development

The IDF described the increased threat of a nuclear Iran, including secret Iranian operations, which showcased the necessity of immediate strikes: “The IDF is revealing for the first time that the Iranian regime is advancing a secret plan for the technological advancement of all parts of the development of a nuclear weapon. In the framework of this plan, senior nuclear scientists in Iran have been working to secretly develop all components needed for developing a nuclear weapon.”

“The State of Israel has been left with no choice,” the publication stressed. “The IDF has the obligation to act in defense of the civilians of Israel and will continue to do so.”

The IDF included a graphic detailing Iran’s secret assembly of nuclear weapon components—including advancing “uranium enrichment measures for a nuclear weapons t-core,” developing neutron sources, radiation tests, and other components unique to nuclear weapons development.

Calls For Prayer In The Midst Of A ‘Spiritual War’

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee stated on X: “At our Embassy in Jerusalem, and closely following the situation. We will remain here all night. ‘Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!'”

Daniel Cohen, News Director of the Real Life Network, reporting LIVE from Tel Aviv with California Pastor Jack Hibbs, underscored the “spiritual battle” surrounding the Israeli operation and retaliatory actions from Iran.

“[We] have to see this through a Biblical lens,” Cohen emphasized. “It is all spiritual; we see it manifesting in the physical, but it is a spiritual war. I take great comfort in knowing that God can’t change his mind. God made a promise to Israel. We are going to be okay. It’s frightening… But I put my trust, my hope, and my faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Yeshua, Jesus, is on the throne. We were just praying for God’s hand of protection over Israel, even right now.”

Harbinger’s Press is a division of Harbinger’s Daily News Media.