Israeli Ambassador Warns Iran Campaign Will Surpass Hezbollah Beeper Operation

Israel’s Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, has indicated that recent Israeli operations against Iran have been highly successful and will soon reveal surprises that surpass the notable 2024 “beeper operation” against Hezbollah in Lebanon and Syria. Leiter described these earlier attacks, which involved simultaneous explosions of Hezbollah members’ pagers and walkie-talkies, as impressive but suggested that recent strikes, including the destruction of Iranian surface-to-surface missile systems and a broadcast center in Tehran, are far more significant. He emphasized that the goal of Israel’s campaign, known as Operation Rising Lion, is to neutralize the threat posed by Iran’s nuclear weaponization and ballistic missile programs, not to pursue regime change. Israeli operatives reportedly infiltrated Iran earlier to set up strategic positions and dismantle air defenses, enabling more effective strikes. Leiter also expressed skepticism about Iran’s outreach for nuclear negotiations, pointing out Iran’s long history of duplicity while clandestinely advancing its nuclear ambitions. Throughout, Ambassador Leiter affirmed strong alignment between Israel and U.S. President Donald Trump regarding preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.