IDF chief urges preparation for prolonged campaign against Iran

"We launched the campaign when Iran possessed around 2,500 surface-to-surface missiles, with a high production rate, such that within approximately two years, they were expected to possess around 8,000 missiles," he says.

The commander noted that Iran's efforts to produce ballistic missiles, its proxies across the Middle East, and its nuclear advancements have compelled Israel to carry out a preemptive strike.

"The IDF will not stand by and watch as threats develop. As part of an emerging doctrine, we will act proactively and in advance to prevent an existential threat and to face any challenge," he emphasized.

Zamir added that the Israeli army had been preparing for this operation for years, and it was launched "thanks to the convergence of operational and strategic conditions."

"Had we delayed, there was a risk of losing these conditions and entering the campaign in the future from a position of clear disadvantage. We understood that history would not forgive us if we failed to act now to defend the existence of the Jewish people in the State of Israel," he said.

He added that Israel's first strikes on Iran "achieved extraordinary results."

"We eliminated the enemy's senior command, inflicted deep damage to components of the nuclear program, opened an aerial corridor to Tehran, identified and destroyed about half of the missile launchers, some just minutes before launch, and surprised the enemy despite its heightened state of alert," Zamir said.

The IDF commander called on Israelis to prepare for a "prolonged campaign" against Iran.

"We are preparing for a range of possible developments. We have embarked on the most complex campaign in our history. We launched this campaign in order to eliminate a threat of this magnitude, against such an enemy, which requires readiness for a prolonged campaign," he noted.

Zamir emphasized that every day, Israel's freedom of action is expanding and the enemy's is shrinking.

"The campaign is not over. While we have achieved significant results, challenging days still lie ahead, and we must remain alert and united until the mission is complete," he stated.

War between Israel and Iran

Israel has been conducting an operation against Iran's nuclear infrastructure for a week. The main goal of the Israeli military is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Both sides exchange heavy strikes daily using hundreds of missiles and drones.

In particular, on the night of June 20, about 50 Israeli fighter jets attacked Tehran. Their targets were several nuclear facilities.

Meanwhile, Iran struck several Israeli cities with ballistic missiles on June 20 during the day. It is known that Haifa was hit, resulting in at least two people injured.

Amid rising tensions around Iran, the United States is considering a possible military operation against the country, reports Bloomberg. According to The Wall Street Journal, US President Donald Trump has already approved a strike plan but has currently postponed its implementation to assess Tehran's next steps.

The Guardian reports that Trump is hesitant about immediate intervention, doubting that US weapons can reliably destroy the nuclear facility at Fordow.

The White House states that a final decision on potential US involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict is expected within two weeks.

Additionally, Israel is preparing to intensify strikes against Iran to destabilize the regime. Defense Minister Israel Katz has given corresponding orders to the Israel Defense Forces.