Netanyahu: "We all need to assume there will be a counterattack"
From CNN’s Dana Karni and Lauren Kent
Israeli authorities discussed “the price we’ll have to pay” before launching their overnight attack on Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
“There were doubts, people were asking questions, mostly about two things: in regards to our capabilities and in regards to the price we’ll have to pay,” Netanyahu said in a pre-recorded video.
“Regarding the price — I said there will be a price, and we are trying to reduce it in various ways I will not elaborate on. But it is important for me that you citizens will help reduce it by, not being euphoric … and simply obey the instructions (of the Home Front Command) and stay next to safe spaces, because we and you want to minimize harm to life as much as possible,” he said.
Discussing the possibility of a counterstrike from Iran, Netanyahu said: “I tell you there will be. We have hit a considerable part of the Iranian military leadership. We hit a considerable part of the nuclear scientists leading their nuclear program. We are also acted against their air defense. … This came as surprise to them.”
“I told (US President Donald) Trump surprise is the element of success,” he added. “It created, of course, chaos in Iran but we all need to assume there will be a counterattack against us. It can come in waves and can be very hard.”
