WASHINGTON D.C (VINnews) – Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, said Wednesday that the ongoing military operation against Iran has advanced into its second phase, with significant damage inflicted on Iranian military infrastructure and leadership.

In remarks outlining the progress of the campaign — now in its sixth day — Leiter reported that Israeli forces destroyed 200 targets in Tehran and surrounding areas. He emphasized ongoing efforts to eliminate key figures in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

“We destroyed 200 targets in Tehran and its environs and, of course, we continue to take out the leadership of the IRGC and we’re beginning to see cracks in the chain of command throughout the security and military apparatus in Tehran,” Leiter said.

The ambassador also detailed strikes in Lebanon targeting two terrorist officials: a Hamas figure in Tripoli responsible for training operatives and dispatching them to Gaza, and a Hezbollah official organizing missile launches into Israel.

Leiter described emerging disarray within Iran’s command structure as “very encouraging,” predicting it could widen over time. He noted a decline in coordinated missile launches from Iran and its proxies, though erratic firings have struck 12 countries, including some in Europe.

“This is a sign that they’re panicking,” Leiter said. “And what it’s also doing is driving all the countries in the region into a coalition — a coalition of countries that share a common threat.”

The ambassador reiterated Israel’s core objectives in the conflict: preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, halting its ballistic missile development, and curbing its support for proxy groups that threaten Israel and destabilize the Middle East.

“What we’re pursuing together with the United States is nothing more than securing a safe and peaceful future for the region and for the world,” Leiter concluded.

The statements come amid escalating U.S.-Israeli joint operations, including strikes on Iranian command centers, missile sites, and air defenses, as the campaign seeks to degrade Tehran’s military capabilities and nuclear ambitions.