Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, has said that Operation Rising Lion has significantly weakened Iran’s nuclear capabilities, calling the mission “largely achieved.” Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Azar said the operation had “decimated” critical parts of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, setting the programme back by “many years.”“We know that the Iranians still possess some knowledge and materials that we won’t be able to destroy,” he said. “But what we have destroyed are very essential parts of the programme, without which it is impossible to assemble a nuclear weapon.”
Azar listed several targets that were hit, including the clandestine group working on a nuclear device, the conversion site at Isfahan, the centrifuge facility in Natanz, and Iran’s atomic energy agency. He added that American forces had also struck Fordow, another key nuclear site.
Despite the military success, Azar emphasised that Israel prefers a diplomatic solution, provided it is enforceable. “We prefer that diplomacy continues to work in order to achieve an agreement — a verifiable one — where we can clearly see that Iran does not reconstitute those plans.”On the ceasefire mediated by US President Donald Trump, Azar confirmed that it is currently holding, with life in Israel returning to normal. However, he said there was a brief breach shortly after the ceasefire took effect. “One hour after it was supposed to take effect, the Iranians fired two ballistic missiles. We felt obliged to retaliate.”
Azar listed several targets that were hit, including the clandestine group working on a nuclear device, the conversion site at Isfahan, the centrifuge facility in Natanz, and Iran’s atomic energy agency. He added that American forces had also struck Fordow, another key nuclear site.
Despite the military success, Azar emphasised that Israel prefers a diplomatic solution, provided it is enforceable. “We prefer that diplomacy continues to work in order to achieve an agreement — a verifiable one — where we can clearly see that Iran does not reconstitute those plans.”On the ceasefire mediated by US President Donald Trump, Azar confirmed that it is currently holding, with life in Israel returning to normal. However, he said there was a brief breach shortly after the ceasefire took effect. “One hour after it was supposed to take effect, the Iranians fired two ballistic missiles. We felt obliged to retaliate.”
He credited Trump’s intervention for preventing further escalation. “President Trump — to whom we are very thankful — called our Prime Minister and asked our jets to stand down, and we complied.”
Azar cautioned that threats to the ceasefire could go beyond direct missile fire. “It’s not only a situation where the Iranians resume firing, but also an attempt by Iran to reconstitute the threats — the imminent threats that were endangering our country.”
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