‘On the Brink of Victory’: Leaked Transcripts Detail Heated Early Days of Israel-Iran Conflict
JERUSALEM – Newly leaked transcripts reveal the intense, frequently enough conflicting, deliberations within Israel’s leadership and with the Trump administration during the opening days of the escalating conflict with Iran in june 2025. The recordings, aired tuesday by Israel’s Channel 13, expose a stark divide between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s determination for a decisive victory and growing calls from defense officials to de-escalate. The transcripts detail discussions surrounding Israeli strikes targeting Iranian infrastructure, pressure on the U.S.to target Iran’s Fordo nuclear facility,and the devastating Iranian retaliatory strikes that followed.
The leaks offer a rare glimpse into the high-stakes decision-making process as the region teetered on the edge of a wider war. While tensions between Israel and Iran have long simmered, the direct exchange of attacks in June 2025 marked a critically important escalation, prompting urgent diplomatic efforts and raising fears of a broader regional conflict. The transcripts underscore the complexities of navigating such a crisis, balancing military objectives with the potential for catastrophic consequences.
according to the transcripts, initial Israeli assessments following strikes within Iran were overwhelmingly positive. Ron dermer, then Israel’s Minister of Strategic Affairs, reported to a meeting of top officials that “it’s hard to grasp the size of our success in Iran,” adding that “more than 120 rocket launchers have been destroyed, and at least 80 are not functioning.” An unnamed intelligence official further stated that Israel had begun targeting Iran’s central command, noting a subsequent reduction in Iranian attacks and an increase in Israeli interceptions.
The transcripts also reveal Israel’s direct appeal to the Trump administration to strike the Fordo nuclear facility. The request came as Israel continued its offensive operations. Dermer reportedly assured the meeting that the U.S. would be “in full defense in the region within 48 hours” as Trump increased U.S. forces in the area.
However, the optimistic tone began to shift by Monday, June 23rd, as defense officials reportedly urged participants in a meeting to consider ending the war. This prompted a sharp rebuke from Netanyahu, who vehemently rejected any discussion of de-escalation. “Stop talking about ending the war,” Netanyahu reportedly scolded. ”There will be no such thing. We haven’t finished, and it has to stop. It will go on for provided that we need to achieve our objectives.We’re on the brink of victory. You say that we’ve run out of targets, what message are we sending our enemies?” He further questioned the IDF spokesman’s suggestion to conclude operations, stating, “There’s a policy. Work accordingly. We continue untill we’ve achieved our goals. The public here is very strong.”
The escalating conflict triggered a massive Iranian response. On June 25th,Iran retaliated with a barrage of over 500 ballistic missiles and approximately 1,100 drones targeting Israel. The attacks resulted in 31 fatalities and over 3,000 injuries across Israel,according to health officials. Damage assessments revealed 36 missile impacts and one drone strike in populated areas, causing destruction to 2,305 homes in 240 buildings, two universities, and Soroka Medical center in Beersheba – which had already been damaged in a prior strike.The attacks left over 13,000 Israelis displaced.
Channel 13’s full report is expected to reveal further details surrounding Iran’s direct hit on Beersheba’s Soroka Medical Center and the continued pressure exerted by Israel on the Trump administration regarding the Fordo facility.
