Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu provided reassurance Monday that current military operations against Iran will not become a drawn-out conflict spanning multiple years.
Speaking during an appearance on Fox News’ “Hannity” show, Netanyahu addressed concerns about the duration of the military campaign that commenced over the weekend with coordinated U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
“I said it could be quick and decisive. It may take some time, but it’s not going to take years. It’s not an endless war,” Netanyahu stated during the television interview.
The military action began Saturday with airstrikes targeting Iranian positions, resulting in the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has responded with retaliatory strikes against Israeli targets and launched missiles at Arab nations hosting American military installations throughout the Middle East.
President Donald Trump had initially estimated the conflict would last approximately four to five weeks, though he later suggested it might extend beyond that timeframe while defending the decision to engage in comprehensive military action against Iran.
Netanyahu dismissed comparisons to other regional conflicts that have stretched on for years, emphasizing this operation would have a more defined endpoint.
The Israeli leader expressed optimism that the military campaign could create opportunities for sustainable peace across the Middle East, potentially including normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.
When questioned about prospects for lasting regional stability, Netanyahu responded affirmatively: “Yes I do.”
Recent polling data from Reuters/Ipsos indicates limited American support for the military intervention, with only one-quarter of respondents backing the strikes on Iran that have intensified Middle Eastern tensions.
The lengthy conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have left many Americans wary of extensive military commitments overseas, contributing to skepticism about the current operation.
Netanyahu suggested the joint U.S.-Israeli military pressure could encourage Iranian citizens to challenge their government’s authority.
“Now, of course, it’s up to the people of Iran in the final count to change the government, but we are creating – America and Israel together are creating – the conditions for them to do so,” he explained.
Trump’s stated objectives for the military campaign have evolved since operations began. Initially, he called on Iranians to “take back your country” and suggested regime change as a goal.
However, in more recent statements Monday, Trump focused on preventing Iran’s nuclear weapons development – which Tehran denies pursuing – and dismantling its long-range missile capabilities, without mentioning government overthrow.
Israel is widely regarded as the sole nuclear-armed nation in the Middle East, while the United States also maintains nuclear weapons capabilities.
