RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES” HANDOUT ——EDITORIAL USE ONLY — SHOTLIST: ISRAEL (RELEASED ON JUNE 13, 2025) (ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES - RESTRICTED) 1. SOUNDBITE (English) ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES SPOKESPERSON BRIG. GEN. EFFIE DEFRIN SAYING: "For years, the Iranian regime has called for the destruction of the state of Israel, planning and advancing concrete military plans to do so. Over the past few months, intelligence has shown that Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear weapon. This morning, the IDF began pre-emptive and precise strikes, targeting the Iranian nuclear program in order to prevent the Iranian regime's ability to build a nuclear bomb in the immediate time frame. We have no choice. We are operating against an imminent and existential threat. We cannot allow the Iranian regime to obtain a nuclear weapon that would be a danger to Israel and the entire world. This operation is for our right to exist here, for our future and for our children's future. The state of Israel has the right and the obligation to operate in order to protect its people and will continue to do so. The IDF conducted significant preparations for this operation. We are well prepared, both in defense and offense, to defend ourselves. The IDF will continue to defend the state of Israel. "ISRAEL - RELEASED ON JUNE 13, 2025 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES” HANDOUT ——EDITORIAL USE ONLY — The Israeli army on Friday, June 13, confirmed it had launched preemptive and targeted strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities, citing an “imminent and existential threat.” In a statement, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said the operation was aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. “For years, the Iranian regime has called for the destruction of Israel. Intelligence in recent months has shown Iran is closer than ever to obtaining a nuclear bomb,” Defrin said. “The IDF began preemptive and precise strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear program to eliminate this immediate threat,” he added. Defrin emphasized Israel's right to defend itself and said the military had conducted significant preparations, both defensive and offensive, ahead of the operation.