Netanyahu Says Israel Fended Off Iran Nuclear Threat

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had fended off what he called an immediate threat of annihilation from Iran, defending recent military operations in remarks at a press conference.

Netanyahu said in a statement posted by the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office that stopping Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons has been his “life’s mission.”

Iran will not have nuclear weapons. Not today, and not tomorrow. — Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu said Israel, together with the United States, launched what he described as the largest offensive air operation in Israel’s history. He said the operation targeted Iranian nuclear scientists, nuclear facilities, missile factories, military industries, navy and air force assets, and Basij commanders.

Netanyahu said the damage to Iran’s economy was estimated in the hundreds of billions of dollars, with some estimates closer to $1 trillion. He did not provide detailed evidence in the statement for those estimates.

He said Iran had been “racing toward a nuclear weapon” before what he called Operation Rising Lion. Netanyahu said Israel later acted in “historic cooperation” with President Trump and the American military in what he called Operation Roaring Lion.

“If we had not acted at the time we did, and with the overwhelming force with which we did,” Netanyahu said, “Iran would already have atomic bombs.”

Netanyahu said the fight was not over. He said Israel would remain vigilant against Iran and what he described as Iran’s proxy groups. He said Israel had struck targets in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and refugee camps in Judea and Samaria.

Netanyahu also said Israel had eliminated Hamas leaders Mohammed Deif, Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, along with many other Hamas figures. He said Israel had returned all hostages from Gaza and defended the decision to enter Rafah and Gaza City.

Netanyahu said Israel had killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, prevented a Radwan Force invasion into the Galilee and destroyed most of the 150,000 rockets and missiles he said Hezbollah had built to strike Israeli cities.

He said Israel had established security zones in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria and would remain there “for as long as it is required” to defend the country.

Netanyahu said Israel had changed its security doctrine after Oct. 7, saying the country would not allow armed groups to position themselves along its borders or prepare attacks near Israeli communities.

Netanyahu also said Israel would pursue domestic armament independence and invest 350 billion shekels on top of the defense budget.

Netanyahu closed by thanking Israeli citizens and members of the military and security services, saying Israel would continue to stand and “continue to win.”