Convinced that Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities, like its ballistic capabilities, have been greatly reduced, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared.
At a press conference on Thursday, he said, among other things, that the goals of the war are threefold: "First, to suppress Iran's nuclear program. Second, to suppress the ballistic program. Third, to create the conditions for the Iranians to take their fate into their own hands."
However, he implied elsewhere that airstrikes alone against the Iranian regime, which he said could remain weakened, are not enough. “A ground component is also necessary,” he said without specifying what exactly he meant.
From the beginning of his statements, Netanyahu stressed that Iran “can no longer enrich uranium” and is no longer able to produce ballistic missiles. Its stockpile of missiles and drones “has suffered significant damage,” while he vowed that “they will be destroyed.”
He claimed, in general, that "we win and Iran is destroyed."
He noted that Iran "is weaker than ever" in contrast to Israel, which he said is a regional power "and some would say a global power."
Netanyahu made specific reference to the "fake news," as he called it, that Israel was dragging the United States into conflict with Iran.
"Does anyone really believe that anyone can tell President Trump what to do? Come on now," he said, adding that the US president "always makes his decisions based on what he thinks is good for America."
Regarding the Iranian leadership, Netanyahu said he is not sure who is ruling Iran at the moment. "Mojtaba has not appeared, we have not seen him," he explained.
He also revealed that there is "great tension" among officials at the top of the Iranian regime, while noting that Israel is seeing "rifts" in both the political leadership and units on the battlefield.
Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Netanyahu said that Iran is blackmailing the entire world with the blockade, while adding that “we are helping in our own way in the American efforts to open the Strait.” However, he stressed that “we must find alternative routes, oil and gas pipelines to the west that will reach our ports in Israel.” This is possible, he explained.
However, he said that "the war will end sooner than people think."
Netanyahu recently once again addressed rumors that he was killed in an Iranian attack. “First of all, I just want to say that I am alive,” he said, adding that “you are all witnesses to this.”
