Latest news with #Zamir
Canberra Times
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Canberra Times
Israel 'killed 30 Iran security chiefs, 11 scientists'
Zamir told troops in Gaza an Israeli ground operation, known as "Gideon's Chariots," would in the near future achieve its goal of greater control of the Palestinian enclave and present options to Israel's government for further action.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Deception and then a fatal blow': How Israel chose the ‘perfect' time to strike Iran; new details on Operation Rising Lion
Israel didn't just strike Iran - it lulled it into a false sense of security first. In one of the most precise military manoeuvres in its history, Israel launched a surprise assault on Iran's nuclear infrastructure after months of deception, misinformation, and meticulously coordinated planning. By the time the first Israeli jets were tearing through the skies over Tehran, Iran's leadership still believed negotiations were underway, and a wedding at the Prime Minister's residence was days away. 'The stars aligned,' one IDF general remarked. But what truly made the operation devastating wasn't just the firepower it was the timing. 'The IDF launched Operation Rising Lion to confront an existential threat to the state of Israel. In 12 days, we operated with accuracy and met our goals,' he said in a statement on X. 'The stars aligned' The timing, according to Israeli officials, was critical. Lt. Gen. Zamir had determined as early as April that June would provide the final 'window of opportunity' to launch a successful strike. Any further delay, the IDF warned, would mean Iran's nuclear and missile programmes might pass the 'point of no return'. Also read | 'Operation Narnia' and 'Red Wedding': How Israel pulled off 'Game of Thrones' on Iran By mid-year, a perfect storm had emerged: Israeli intelligence had fully mapped out Iran's air defences, the country's Axis of Resistance including Hezbollah, Hamas, and Syria's Assad regime had weakened significantly, and operational readiness within the IDF had peaked. 'The stars aligned,' one IDF general reportedly said during internal discussions, as reported by the Times of Israel. In October 2024, following Iran's second missile barrage on Israeli territory, the IDF accelerated plans for an assault. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Women over 35 are going crazy about this free slot machine game Lounge 777 Sign Up Undo The Intelligence Directorate and Israeli Air Force (IAF) began compiling a list of Iranian 'centres of gravity' from firepower and air superiority to economic infrastructure and military command hubs. By March, the IDF had decrypted Iran's air defence systems and finalised its target bank. To ensure operational secrecy, the plan was compartmentalised. Even senior regional commanders within the IDF were left in the dark until the final hours. 'Operation Rising Lion will be remembered in history as one of Israel's most daring and successful operations,' Zamir said. A web of misdirection In the days leading up to the strike, Israel and the United States launched a sophisticated misinformation campaign to mislead Tehran. According to The Times of Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump coordinated a 'multi-faceted ruse' to convince Iran that a military strike was not imminent. The two leaders spoke for 40 minutes on the Monday before the strike, during which Trump, according to official leaks, urged Netanyahu not to proceed. Israeli and US officials claimed the focus remained on hostage talks with Hamas. 'Trump played the game together with Israel,' an Israeli official told the Times. 'It was a whole coordination.' Cabinet meetings were staged around supposed progress in hostage negotiations. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar gave the impression that diplomacy was gaining ground, and Israeli media was briefed accordingly. Netanyahu even allowed reports to circulate that he would not cancel his weekend vacation and that his son's wedding was still scheduled further fuelling Iranian assumptions that a strike was off the table. Meanwhile, Israel announced that Mossad chief David Barnea and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer were travelling for talks with US envoys ahead of a new round of Iran-US nuclear negotiations. The meeting was never on the schedule. This smokescreen worked. Iranian leaders were convinced Israel remained hesitant and bound by diplomatic constraints. In truth, the IDF and its American allies were ready to act. A devastating blow, a disputed outcome As Operation Rising Lion was unleashed, the United States joined the conflict under its own codename Operation Midnight Hammer. American B-2 bombers dropped massive GBU-57 'bunker-buster' bombs on underground facilities such as Fordo, while Tomahawk missiles targeted secondary sites. 'Operation Midnight Hammer was accurate, powerful and had great achievements,' said Zamir. Trump later declared a ceasefire on Truth Social, announcing: 'It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE… THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World.' Iran, however, dismissed US claims of crippling damage. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that 'the Islamic republic won' and had delivered 'a severe slap to the face of America'. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi added, 'No agreement, arrangement or conversation has been made to start new negotiations.' Nonetheless, both sides have claimed victory. Netanyahu said Israel had 'thwarted Iran's nuclear project' and warned that any effort to rebuild it would 'be met with the same determination and intensity'. The war left at least 627 Iranian civilians dead, according to Tehran, and 28 Israeli fatalities. But Israel insists it has regained strategic balance. 'We struck deep into Iran, setting back its military nuclear program, its ballistic missile capabilities, and eliminating those who led the effort to destroy Israel,' said Lt. Gen. Zamir. 'This is a defining moment for Israel, the Jewish people and the world.'
Shafaq News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Israel reveals covert ground operations in Iran
Shafaq News – Middle East Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir confirmed, on Wednesday, that elite commandos conducted covert ground operations inside Iran during the recent 12-day conflict. In a televised address, Zamir stated that Israeli forces operated 'deep within Iranian territory with full tactical freedom.' Mossad Director David Barnea acknowledged CIA collaboration, describing the operations as 'decisive, precisely timed actions' made possible through close intelligence coordination. He added that Israeli surveillance of Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure remains active in real time. In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Politico that Iran's deepening economic crisis could spark internal unrest if it continues backing regional proxy groups. He also defended President Donald Trump's recent strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling them 'a turning point' that helped contain the conflict.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Israeli commandos operated in Iran during 12-day war: military
JERUSALEM: The head of Israel's military said Wednesday that Israeli commandos had operated secretly inside Iran during the countries' 12-day war. "We achieved full control over Iranian airspace and in every location where we chose to operate," chief of staff Eyal Zamir said in a televised address. "This was made possible thanks to, among other things, coordination and tactical deception carried out by our air force and ground commando units," he added. ME bourses advance on Iran-Israel ceasefire "The forces operated in secret deep within enemy territory and created operational freedom of action for us." Both countries have claimed victory in the conflict since a ceasefire went into effect on Tuesday. The war erupted on June 13 when Israel launched a surprise bombing campaign that it said aimed to stop Iran developing a nuclear weapon -- an ambition Iran has consistently denied. Zamir was the first Israeli official to say publicly that Israeli soldiers had operated on the ground in Iran. "The campaign is not yet finished," he added. "We must remain on guard -- many challenges await."
Middle East Eye
4 days ago
- Politics
- Middle East Eye
Israeli army says it is now focused on return to Gaza
The Israeli military's chief of staff Eyal Zamir said the military was at "the conclusion of a significant chapter but the campaign against Iran is not over". Zamir said that the military's focus was on returning to Gaza to bring back the captives and to "dismantle Hamas's rule". - with reporting by Reuters
