Israel’s US Ambassador Leiter launches US media tour, says Israel is 'fighting for its life'

Israel’s new ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, defended Israel’s strikes on Iran in a flurry of interviews with American media following the launch of "Operation Rising Lion," speaking with outlets Fox News, CNN, and PBS.

Leiter first appeared on "Fox News Special Report" with Bret Baier, where he explained that Israel is “fighting for its life” and had decided finally to “cut off the head of the snake,” a reference to Iran, whose terror proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, have been the primary focus of Israel’s military efforts until now.

During the six-minute interview, Leiter stressed that Israel’s strikes are an existential act of self-defense against Iran. He also thanked the United States for its assistance in defending Israeli territory against Iranian missiles. He also clarified that Israeli Air Force (IAF) pilots were carrying out the strikes on Iran and that U.S. forces were not involved. Leiter indicated that Operation Rising Lion would not end until Iran's uranium-enrichment programs were destroyed.

Leiter then appeared on CNN, where he reported that Iran had launched three waves of approximately 150 ballistic missiles.

“We expect the barrages to continue,” Leiter stated, adding that Iran was deliberately targeting civilians. He said that “in four or five days, once the campaign is complete,” Israel will be taking full stock of just how much damage the Israeli military and Mossad have inflicted on Iranian nuclear sites.

As of now, Iran has launched approximately 200 ballistic missiles at Israel, killing three people. Two of the victims have been identified: 73-year-old Yisrael Aloni, who was killed in a missile barrage on the central city of Rishon Letzion, and Etti Cohen Engel, who died in last night’s attack on Ramat Gan. At least 70 others have been injured by the missile strikes.

Later, on PBS NewsHour, Leiter reiterated that Iran’s nuclear program is an “existential threat” to the Jewish state. He cited an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report stating that the Iranian regime was “racing” towards a nuclear bomb.

Leiter emphasized that regime change was “for Iranians to decide,” explaining that Israel’s immediate objective is to destroy the uranium enrichment facilities at Natanz and Fordow in order to compel Iran to return to the negotiating table.

In a speech on Friday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly appealed to Iranian civilians in a recorded statement. He struck a defiant yet empathetic tone, urging them to rise up against their oppressive regime, and expressing solidarity with their struggle for freedom.

“Israel's fight is not against the Iranian people. Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you,” Netanyahu said. “The time has come for the Iranian people to unite around its flag and its historic legacy, by standing up for your freedom from the evil and [against the ]oppressive regime,” he added. “This is your opportunity to stand up and let your voices be heard.”

"Brave people of Iran, your light will defeat the darkness," Netanyahu told Iranian citizens. "I'm with you, the people of Israel are with you."

Leiter’s media tour is set to continue on Sunday, when he will be a guest on ABC’s "This Week," alongside California Senator Alex Padilla and a former US CENTCOM commander, General Joseph Votel.