Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday declared that the country’s 12-day war with Iran had eliminated the threat of nuclear destruction and drastically weakened Iran’s missile capability.
“We have removed two immediate existential threats to us, the threat of nuclear annihilation and the threat of annihilation by 20,000 ballistic missiles,” Netanyahu said in a video statement released by his office.
He warned that any effort by Tehran to revive its nuclear ambitions would be met with the same force. “If anyone in Iran tries to revive this project, we will act with the same determination and strength. I repeat, Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” he said.
Calling the outcome a “historic victory” for Israel, Netanyahu said the military campaign would be remembered for generations.
Praise for Trump’s Military Action
Netanyahu also praised U.S. President Donald Trump, who ordered the bombing of Iran’s underground nuclear facilities over the weekend.
“Our friend President Trump has rallied to our side in an unprecedented way. Under his direction, the United States military destroyed the underground enrichment site at Fordow,” he said, referring to Iran’s key nuclear site built deep underground.
Tensions Despite Truce
His remarks came just hours after Trump publicly criticised Israel for violating the terms of a ceasefire brokered by Washington, suggesting the scale of Israel’s airstrikes went beyond what had been agreed upon.
Despite the ceasefire appearing to hold for now, Netanyahu made it clear that Israel’s broader military goals remain unfinished.
Gaza, Hostages Still Top Priority
Netanyahu said the campaign must now focus on defeating Iran’s proxy Hamas in Gaza and ensuring the return of Israeli hostages.
“We must complete the campaign against the Iranian axis, defeat Hamas, and bring about the release of all the hostages, both living and dead,” he said. Around 50 hostages remain in captivity since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, with only about 20 believed to still be alive.
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