Iran’s Nuclear Program Targeted in Massive Israeli Airstrikes: Fallout, Threats, and Commentary
Israel attacked Iran on June 13, killing top generals and striking nuclear sites. Justice Markandey Katju analyses the aftermath and rhetoric from both sides.
The Israeli attack on Iran
By Justice Markandey KatjuIsrael launched a major attack on Iran today, Friday, 13th June. The strikes killed Iran’s top three generals, according to Iranian state media, and targeted military bases and nuclear sites across the country.
Israel strikes Iran's nuclear program
Israel attacks Iran news live updates
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised speech that the attacks on Iran, which has often threatened to wipe out Israel from the face of the earth, and had developed enriched uranium to make 9 atomic bombs, would last “as many days as it takes.”
Statement by PM Netanyahu
The Israeli military says 200 warplanes participated in the attack, dropping hundreds of bombs across the country and striking over 100 targets.
Israel described the strikes as a last resort to keep Iran, which has often threatened to destroy Israel, from acquiring nuclear weapons. Its military said it struck Natanz, Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility. Israel also killed top Iranian generals and scientists, including Mohammad Bagheri, the second-highest commander after the supreme Iranian leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Khamenei said Israel “should anticipate a harsh punishment. The strong hand of the Islamic Republic will not let them go'', and the new Iranian Revolutionary Guards Chief said that '' The Gates of Hell will open on Israel ''.
Israel-Iran strike live updates: Multiple blasts heard in Tehran, reports state media
However, this sounds just empty rhetoric, reminding one of a line in Shakespeare's Macbeth '' It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing".
It also reminds one of this story :
A man told his friend his father was a very brave man, who once fought with a tiger.
His friend asked what happened then.
The man replied ''What could happen? The tiger tore him up and ate him up''.
Khameini and the Revolutionary Guards Chief are like that brave man, only they have not been eaten up as yet.
This happens to a country ruled by reactionary village idiots like Ayatollah Khomeini, Ayatollah Khameini, and other religious clerics.
(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of the Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own.)
