Campaign against Iran not over, existential threats removed: Netanyahu

Claiming “historic achievements” in the ongoing confrontation with Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said the campaign is “not yet over”, even as he asserted that Israel has significantly rolled back Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

In a video statement in Hebrew, Netanyahu said Israel launched the campaign because Iran was “very close” to acquiring nuclear weapons and had the capacity to produce hundreds of missiles daily — two threats he described as existential. He claimed Israel’s actions were aimed at neutralising both.

The Israeli leader alleged that Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei sought to conceal nuclear and missile infrastructure deep underground, beyond the reach of even advanced bombers, forcing Israel to act. “We could not stand idly by,” he said.

Addressing concerns over more than 400 kg of enriched uranium reportedly still in Iran, Netanyahu said the material would be removed either through diplomacy or by force.

Using a regional map to illustrate what he called the “Iranian axis,” Netanyahu asserted that Israel had turned the tables on its adversaries. “They wanted to strangle us, and we are strangling them,” he said, adding that further operations may follow.

His remarks came as US and Iranian negotiators met in Islamabad to explore the possibility of a ceasefire.

Netanyahu said he had spent decades working to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, including authorising covert operations and warning the international community. He claimed Israel “broke the barrier of fear” with its strikes on Iran last June.

He also argued that Iran has been weakened by the conflict, pointing to internal divisions and economic strain. “Iran is no longer the same Iran,” he said, adding that the country was now “begging for a ceasefire”.

The prime minister credited Israeli citizens for their support and said the country had emerged stronger. “Those who threatened to destroy us are now fighting for their own survival,” he said.

Netanyahu also highlighted what he described as gains on other fronts, including against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and forces in Syria.

He revealed that Lebanon had approached Israel multiple times in the past month for direct peace talks. Israel, he said, would consider negotiations only if Hezbollah is disarmed and a lasting peace agreement is ensured.

“We have created a security zone of 8–10 km and are determined to restore safety for residents in the north,” Netanyahu said, accusing Hezbollah of planning an invasion of the Galilee.

According to local media reports, Israel and Lebanon may hold talks in the United States next week, even as Israeli military operations against Hezbollah continue.

Netanyahu also indicated that fighting against Hamas in Gaza could resume.

With PTI inputs