Iran months away from building nuclear bombs? Israel releases details to justify attack

In a major escalation in the volatile Middle East, Israel attacked Iran targeting the latter's nuclear facilities and top military officers early on Friday (June 13). The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) operation named "Rising Lion" was carried out just a few hours after US President Donald Trump warned that an Israeli strike on Iran is possible and such a move could result in a “chance of massive conflict” in the Middle East.

The targets of Israeli attacks were the nuclear facility at Natanz and military installations and missile site in and around the capital Tehran. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei immediately warned of a strong reprisal, announcing a “severe punishment” in store for Israel.

At least two of Iran's top military officers, Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri and Revolutionary Guard Chief General Hossein Salami, was confirmed dead, while six of its top nuclear scientists were also among the fatalities.


Also Read: US warns Iran's retaliation to Israeli strike could trigger mass casualties

Justifying the attack, which comes in the midst of US-Iran nuclear talks, Israel said it was facing an imminent threat from the Islamic nation's nuclear program. According to the IDF assessment, Iran currently has the potential to build 15 nuclear bombs with the enriched uranium it currently holds and that it has "clear evidence that the Iranian regime is operating to obtain a nuclear weapon".

The Israeli military also released a detailed report on why it chose to attack Iran now. Claiming that Iran's nuclear scientists were on the verge of weaponizing its enriched uranium, the IDF added that Tehran had accelerated its nuclear program in the last few months.

Read the full IDF report on Iran's nuclear program below:

"In recent months, accumulated intelligence information has provided evidence that the Iranian regime is approaching the point of no return. The convergence of the Iranian regime's efforts to produce thousands of kilograms of enriched uranium, alongside decentralized and fortified enrichment compounds in underground facilities, enables the Iranian regime to enrich uranium to military-grade levels, enabling the regime to obtain a nuclear weapon within a short period of time. Additionally, in recent years, and more so since the beginning of the war, concrete progress has been identified in the Iranian regime's efforts to produce weapons components adapted for a nuclear bomb."

"The Iranian regime has been working for decades to obtain a nuclear weapon. The world has attempted every possible diplomatic path to stop it, but the regime has refused to stop."

Also Read: World War III fears surge

"The IDF is revealing for the first time that the Iranian regime is advancing a secret plan for the technological advancement of all parts of the development of a nuclear weapon. In the framework of this plan, senior nuclear scientists in Iran have been working to secretly develop all components needed for developing a nuclear weapon."

"In recent months, this program has accelerated significantly, bringing the regime significantly closer to obtaining a nuclear weapon. This is clear evidence that the Iranian regime is operating to obtain a nuclear weapon. The State of Israel has been left with no choice. The IDF has the obligation to act in defense of the civilians of Israel and will continue to do so."