New Delhi, June 16 -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the joint military campaign carried out by Israel and the United States against Iran had protected the country from what he characterised as the threat of "nuclear annihilation" posed by the Islamic Republic. He also revealed his "life's mission".

Speaking publicly for the first time since Washington and Tehran announced a preliminary agreement early Monday to end the conflict in the Middle East, Netanyahu stated, "The most important thing is that we saved the State of Israel from the threat of nuclear annihilation."

"And what would that mean? It would mean that millions of Israeli citizens -- you who are hearing me now -- all of you would have been in t...