Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the elimination of Iran’s nuclear program is Israel’s top strategic objective, emphasizing that his country is "on the path to victory" in its escalating conflict with Iran.
Speaking to a British media outlet and addressing an online media conference, Netanyahu claimed that the Israeli Air Force currently has "complete control of Tehran’s airspace" and has destroyed hundreds of Iranian rockets and a large number of missile launch pads in recent operations.
“We are changing the face of the Middle East,” Netanyahu said. “We will not allow Iran to build nuclear weapons under any circumstances. That is our red line.”
The Israeli prime minister accused Iran of continuing efforts to develop both nuclear weapons and long-range ballistic missiles. “Reducing the threat of Iran's missile and nuclear programs is our top priority,” he said.
Iran’s leadership a target
In a particularly controversial exchange during the ABC News interview, Netanyahu was asked about reports that Israel had proposed targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — a plan reportedly rejected by US President Donald Trump.
Netanyahu did not deny the report and instead asserted, "It's not going to escalate the conflict, it's going to end the conflict."
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"We've had half a century of conflict spread by this regime that terrorizes everyone in the Middle East; has bombed the Aramco oil fields in Saudi Arabia; is spreading terrorism and subversion and sabotage everywhere," Netanyahu said. "The 'forever war' is what Iran wants, and they're bringing us to the brink of nuclear war. In fact, what Israel is doing is preventing this, bringing an end to this aggression, and we can only do so by standing up to the forces of evil."
He refused to confirm if Israel would specifically target Khamenei, stating only, "I'm not going to get into the details, but we've targeted their top nuclear scientists," Netanyahu said. "It's basically Hitler's nuclear team."
Close coordination with Trump
Netanyahu also revealed that he is in "daily contact" with US President Trump, praising his steadfast support for Israel.
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“Today, it’s Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, it’s New York,” Netanyahu warned. “I understand ‘America First,’ but I don’t understand ‘America Dead.’ These people chant ‘Death to America.’ This is a battle of good versus evil, and America must stand with the good — and it does. That’s what President Trump is doing, and I deeply appreciate his support.”
Dismissing Iranian diplomacy
Netanyahu dismissed a Wall Street Journal report that Iran was signaling its readiness to resume nuclear negotiations and end hostilities.
"I'm not surprised. I mean, they want to continue to have these fake talks in which they lie, they cheat, they string the U.S. along. And, you know, we have very solid Intel on that," he said.
"They want to keep on building their nuclear weapons and building their mass ballistic missile arsenal, which they're firing at our people. They want to continue to create the two existential threats against Israel while they're talking. That's not going to happen."
