Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made clear that Israel’s ultimate goal is to permanently prevent Iran from ever developing nuclear weapons — and that Tehran’s nuclear program must be shut down no matter how the conflict plays out, whether through a negotiated agreement or otherwise.
In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu said the Iranian regime will eventually be forced to abandon its nuclear ambitions, either because it is brought down from power or because it becomes too weakened to continue pursuing them.
“I think when this regime is either toppled, or it’s sufficiently weakened that it knows it has to end its nuclear program and has to change its course,” he said, adding that this is “really what President Trump is trying to achieve.”
Netanyahu was firm that the result Israel wants cannot hinge on whether diplomatic talks succeed or fail.
“One way or the other, they have to end their nuclear program. And with a deal or without a deal, that has to come to an end,” he said.
The prime minister noted that recent operations carried out by Israel and the United States have pushed Iran’s nuclear program back by “a good few years,” citing strikes on nuclear facilities and the killing of “20 leading nuclear scientists.”
Despite those setbacks to Iran’s program, Netanyahu cautioned that Tehran could still try to rebuild those capabilities. He added that Israeli and American intelligence agencies are working closely together ahead of his planned meeting with President Donald Trump.
Netanyahu also issued a stark warning to Iran about any future attacks on Israel.
“If Iran attacks Israel, either directly or through proxies … our response, Israel’s response, will be very, very forceful,” he said.
Beyond Iran, Netanyahu argued that Israel’s military campaign has reshaped the broader regional picture. He said Hezbollah in Lebanon has lost approximately 94% of its rockets and missiles, and that Israel is working alongside the United States and Lebanon to push the militant group back from the border and strip it of its weapons.
“I think it’s, on the whole, a positive development, and may lead to another peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country,” he said.
Netanyahu also expressed backing for President Trump’s reported stance that any Saudi nuclear program should be limited to civilian use as a condition of normalization with Saudi Arabia. He said Israel is currently in contact with several Arab nations and expressed optimism that more countries could join the Abraham Accords if Iran’s influence continues to be diminished.
