Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (June 22) praised US President Donald Trump for ordering a “very successful” military strike against Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, calling the American leader’s “bold decision” a turning point that will change history.
In a video address following the US air raids, Netanyahu underscored the long-held mantra he shares with Trump: “Peace through strength. First comes strength, then comes peace.” He lauded the strikes on Iran’s three main nuclear sites, Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan, as a demonstration of formidable power.
“Tonight, Donald Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength,” Netanyahu said, emphasising the magnitude of the operation.
Details of the US Strikes on Iran
President Trump told Fox News that US forces dropped six bunker-buster bombs on the Fordow nuclear facility, one of the most fortified and secretive Iranian sites. Additionally, 30 Tomahawk cruise missiles targeted other nuclear installations.
Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to announce, “A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. Fordow is gone.” He congratulated the American military, writing, “There is not another military in the world that could have done this.”
Trump further declared, “NOW IS THE TIME FOR PEACE! Thank you for your attention to this matter,” signaling a desire for diplomatic resolution following the strike.
Netanyahu’s tribute to Trump’s leadership
Netanyahu praised Trump’s decisive action in the wake of Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran, known as Operation Rising Lion.
“Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history,” Netanyahu said. “In Operation Rising Lion, Israel has done truly amazing things, but in tonight’s action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, America has been unsurpassed, it has done what no other country on Earth could do.”
President Trump and I often say: ‘Peace through strength.’
First comes strength, then comes peace.
And tonight, @realDonaldTrump and the United States acted with a lot of strength. pic.twitter.com/7lTWCZkgw7
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) June 22, 2025
He added, “History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime, the world’s most dangerous weapons.”
The Israeli leader expressed optimism that Trump’s leadership will be remembered as a “pivot of history that can help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace.”
Concluding his address, Netanyahu invoked a shared blessing: “God bless America. God bless Israel. May God bless our unshakeable alliance, our unbreakable faith.”
The Escalating Israel-Iran Conflict
The conflict intensified after Israel launched strikes against Iranian nuclear and military sites earlier this month, aiming to halt Tehran’s progress toward nuclear weapons. Israel alleges that Iran is rapidly approaching nuclear capability, a claim Tehran denies, insisting its program is peaceful.
Since the onset of hostilities, the Iranian human rights group based in Washington reports that over 600 people have died in Iran, while Iran’s missile and drone retaliations have killed at least 24 people in Israel. Iranian forces have launched approximately 450 missiles and 1,000 drones into Israeli territory.
Trump’s National Address and US Position
President Trump is scheduled to address the nation at 10 p.m. local time to discuss the military operation, described by him as “very successful.” Despite the military action, Trump reiterated that US planes have safely returned home and framed the strike as a step toward peace, warning Iran that “Iran must now agree to end this war.”
Trump’s initial hesitation, stating on Friday that he would take up to two weeks to decide on joining the conflict alongside Israel, gave way to the decisive strikes that mark a major US escalation in the regional conflict.
