Israeli Ambassador Outlines Reasons for Joint Military Operation Against Iran

Israel's Ambassador to Uzbekistan, Gideon Lustig, has publicly detailed the rationale behind the ongoing joint military operation conducted by Israel and the United States against Iran. Speaking at a meeting with journalists in Tashkent, Lustig framed the action as a necessary preemptive measure against an existential threat that could no longer be postponed.

The ambassador stated that the conflict has long transcended a local or bilateral dispute, directly impacting the security of the entire region. He emphasized that Israel views its actions not as aggression but as a forced defensive move aimed at preventing a future catastrophe.

Lustig identified three core elements of Iran's military strategy that prompted the operation: the acceleration of its nuclear program, mass production of ballistic missiles, and the systematic relocation of critical infrastructure into deep underground facilities. He described the level of coordination with Washington as unprecedented in both military and political terms.

According to Lustig, Iran's ballistic missile program is designed specifically to overwhelm Israeli air defenses and strike critical national infrastructure. He noted a sharp increase in long-range missile production over the past year. Regarding Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Lustig pointed to Iran's continued enrichment of uranium to 60% purity and its accumulation of significant stockpiles of highly enriched uranium.

The ambassador argued that last year's events led Iran to adapt by moving key assets underground, which would grant them future "immunity" and make neutralization far more difficult. This shift created a closing "window of opportunity" that compelled action.

Lustig concluded by stating that all previous diplomatic and deterrent efforts had failed to halt Iran's weapons programs. While acknowledging the gravity of the decision for Israeli leadership, he asserted that inaction would have led to far worse consequences. The operation, he clarified, is not seen as the start of an endless conflict but has a clearly defined goal: eliminating an existential threat.