Israel Had Been Preparing to Strike Iran for Over a Year : Israeli Army Chief

Israel had been planning its attack on Iran well in advance. The Chief of the Israeli Defense Forces has stated that preparations for the offensive began “over a year ago.”Israeli Army Chief Herzi Halevi said that in recent months, the preparations for the operation were kept as secret as possible.Without disclosing further details, Halevi stated that the operation was made possible due to “operational and strategic conditions.” He warned that any delay could have resulted in losing the momentum and might have placed Israel in a weaker position.He said, “We achieved remarkable results thanks to a powerful and unexpected initial strike.”Meanwhile, Israel continues its military operations targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Iranian state media reported that early Saturday morning, Israel launched an attack on a nuclear facility in Isfahan, located in central Iran.According to the reports, Iran’s air defense forces responded to the attack, and loud explosions were heard in central Israel as a result.Fars News Agency reported that no hazardous materials were released during the attack, although the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has not yet provided any updated information regarding the facility.The Israeli military confirmed that it had carried out “multiple strikes” overnight on missile depots and infrastructure in central Iran. The Israeli Defense Forces also stated they intercepted several drones and missiles launched by Iran overnight.Earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that Iran would not engage in any nuclear negotiations amid ongoing attacks. Speaking to reporters on Friday, he said Iran would reconsider diplomacy only if the attacks stopped and the aggressors were held accountable.