According to a report by The Times of Israel on Monday, 15 September 2025, leaked transcripts from Israel’s war cabinet have revealed the urgent debates that preceded the country’s surprise strikes on Iran in June. Broadcast by Channel 13, the documents shed light on Israel’s concerns about Iran’s advancing nuclear program, its pressure on Washington to target the underground Fordo facility, and even discussions of eliminating Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In a secret meeting on 12 June in a bunker outside Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned of the historic moment and the critical decisions facing the nation. He highlighted Iran’s progress in weaponizing fissile material, noting that the country had enriched enough for eight to nine nuclear bombs and stressing the existential threat Israel faced if action was not taken.
The transcripts show Israel’s leaders acknowledged the fortified Fordo facility was beyond their direct reach and believed it could only be destroyed if the United States carried out a strike. Netanyahu and his aides reportedly pressed President Donald Trump for both refueling support for Israeli aircraft and U.S. military action against Fordo, with officials believing Trump was receptive under the right timing.
At 3 a.m. on 13 June, Israeli jets struck Iran’s defenses, military leaders, and nuclear scientists. In retaliation, Iran launched over 500 missiles and 1,100 drones at Israel, resulting in 31 deaths and more than 3,000 injuries. Israel destroyed over 120 rocket launchers and extended operations into Iranian territory.
The transcripts further reveal that Israeli ministers discussed goals beyond the nuclear program, including destabilizing the Iranian regime and targeting Khamenei. There were debates over striking oil refineries and other civilian infrastructure, with officials weighing the potential consequences and timing of such attacks. Defense officials also considered the war’s endgame, but Netanyahu insisted on continuing operations, believing Israel was on the brink of victory.
By that time, Iran had suffered more than 224 fatalities, though much of its nuclear material remained intact. The leaked documents underline Israel’s strategy of preemptive action and reliance on U.S. See, More, Here>>>>
support to neutralize critical threats, with the overarching message that failure to act would imperil the country’s survival.
