Prime Minister / Defense Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the opportunity of a tour of the Nevatim Air Base in the Negev desert to once again warn Iran on Tuesday (July 9) not to attempt to make good on its threats to destroy Israel.
Pointing out “all of our weapons systems and planes,” including the Adir F-35 stealth fighter jet, Netanyahu remarked, “Recently, Iran has been threatening the destruction of Israel. It would do well to remember that these planes can reach anywhere in the Middle East, including Iran and certainly Syria.”
The comment, albeit brief, was a pointed reference to the dozens of air strikes on Iranian military targets in Syria flown by Israel Air Force combat pilots over the past year, as well as a separate mission more than a year ago that sent IAF pilots on a quiet practice flight into the skies over Iran itself.
The prime minister, who also holds the defense portfolio, visited the F-35 squadron at Nevatim and held a security discussion with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi, GOC Air Force Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin and the forum of air force commanders.