Israel Declares ‘No Negotiations’ With Iran as Operation Rising Lion Presses On
The conflict between Israel and Iran has reached a critical stage, with Israeli leaders making it clear that there will be no talks or compromises. The Israeli government has firmly stated that Operation Rising Lion — its large-scale military campaign targeting Iran — will continue until all its objectives are achieved.
On Wednesday, Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz took to social media to send a strong message, hinting at the possibility of a regime change in Tehran. In a pointed post, he described the situation as a “tornado passing over Tehran,” with key government symbols being bombed and residents fleeing the capital. “This is how dictatorships collapse,” Katz wrote, making it evident that Israel’s strikes are aimed not just at military infrastructure but at shaking the Iranian regime itself.
At the same time, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar addressed more than 30 foreign ambassadors — including India’s — at the site of an Iranian missile attack in Bat Yam, a city near Tel Aviv. That attack, carried out by Iran in retaliation for Israel’s airstrikes, killed at least nine people and injured dozens. Sa’ar made it clear to the diplomats that Israel would not enter into negotiations and would press on with the operation until its security goals were fully met.
“I have no doubt we will achieve our objectives in this operation to remove the existential threat,” Sa’ar said, underlining Israel’s firm position. He accused Iran of deliberately targeting civilian areas and emphasized that the Israeli people remain united in their support for Operation Rising Lion.
Operation Rising Lion: The Military Campaign So Far
Since the operation began last Friday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has launched hundreds of airstrikes across Iran. According to Brigadier General Effie Defrin, the Israeli Air Force has so far hit over 1,100 Iranian military assets, including missile launchers, weapons production sites, and air defense systems. The operation’s primary goal, Defrin said, is to systematically neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat and cripple its missile production capabilities.
Footage released by the IDF shows Israeli fighter jets destroying multiple Iranian ballistic missile launch sites and military facilities. Despite facing heavy retaliation, Israeli officials maintain that most of the 400 ballistic missiles and hundreds of drones fired by Iran have been intercepted by Israel’s air defense systems.
The Human and Structural Impact
The conflict has taken a significant toll on both sides. In Israel, approximately 35 missile impact sites have resulted in 24 deaths and over 647 injuries, with ten people reported in serious condition. Nearly 2,725 residents have been evacuated from their homes, and damage reports continue to rise. Authorities have recorded over 18,700 claims, with most related to property and structural damage caused by falling debris and missile impacts.
Strict Reporting Restrictions Imposed
Due to the intensity of the conflict, the Israeli government has imposed wartime reporting restrictions. These restrictions limit the publication of news regarding specific military operations, targets, strategic facilities, and the operational capabilities of Israel’s defense systems. The aim is to prevent sensitive information from being used by hostile actors during the ongoing military campaign.
Israel’s Long-Term Goals
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has outlined two main goals for Operation Rising Lion: to halt Iran’s progress toward developing nuclear weapons and to neutralize its missile and drone attack capabilities. Israeli officials insist that these objectives must be achieved to ensure the long-term security of Israel and the stability of the region.
As the operation continues, Israeli leadership has made it clear that no diplomatic talks will take place. The message from Jerusalem is unambiguous — this is a fight Israel intends to finish on its own terms.
