JERUSALEM, April 7: Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday reaffirmed that his country is targeting the Iranian regime with increased intensity, asserting that its strikes are not aimed at Iranian civilians.
Speaking amid the looming US-imposed deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Netanyahu emphasized that the Israeli offensive is focused on crippling the Iranian leadership and military infrastructure that threatens Israel, the US, and regional stability.
Netanyahu detailed recent attacks, including the destruction of transport planes, helicopters at an Iranian Air Force base, and strikes on railways and bridges used by the Revolutionary Guards to move weapons, materials, and operatives.
He stressed that these actions are intended to weaken the regime that has oppressed the Iranian people for 47 years, not harm ordinary citizens. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) warned Iranians to avoid train travel, signaling potential future attacks on infrastructure critical to the regime’s operations.
The Israeli strikes are part of broader US-Israeli efforts, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s deadline, warning that “an entire civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not comply by reopening the Strait
In response, Iranian authorities called on youths, students, and athletes to form human chains around power plants to protect them from potential attacks.
Netanyahu framed the ongoing campaign as a strategic shift in the regional balance of power, asserting that Israel has grown stronger and more secure since the war began following Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks. He portrayed the campaign as a decisive effort to dismantle the Iranian regime, contrasting the current strength of Israel with a weakened and increasingly exposed Iran.
Netanyahu’s statements underline Israel’s intent to continue military pressure while maintaining the narrative that civilian populations are not the target, even as the region faces heightened tensions and the threat of broader conflict.
UN to vote on softened Strait of Hormuz resolution
The UN Security Council will vote Tuesday on a Bahrain-sponsored resolution to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, watered down due to opposition from Russia and China.
The vote comes just hours before US President Donald Trump’s 8 pm EDT deadline for Iran to reopen the strategic waterway, warning of attacks on its power plants and bridges if ignored. Iran’s blockade has disrupted a fifth of the world’s oil supply, driving up global energy prices.
The weakened resolution authorizes only “defensive measures,” removing references to Security Council enforcement or offensive action. It urges states to coordinate efforts to protect commercial shipping and demands Iran halt attacks on vessels and civilian infrastructure.
Russia and China blame the US and Israel for the conflict, while Bahrain, hosting the US Fifth Fleet, pushes for UN action to safeguard Gulf navigation and global oil security. (AP)
