Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the world on Friday that it could breathe easier, declaring that Iran’s nuclear threat had been effectively eliminated through twenty days of conflict that destroyed Tehran’s uranium enrichment and ballistic missile production capabilities. He rejected claims about Israeli manipulation of US foreign policy. Netanyahu was measured and confident throughout the press conference, framing the war as a contribution to global security rather than merely Israeli national interest.
The prime minister spoke about the Trump-Israel alliance in terms of shared global responsibility. He called their coordination historically unprecedented and framed Trump as the dominant partner. Netanyahu revealed that Trump had contributed his own independently formed and analytically sophisticated understanding of Iran’s nuclear threat to their discussions, enriching their shared strategy.
Netanyahu confirmed Israel struck the South Pars gas compound alone and disclosed Trump’s personal request to hold off on further attacks on Iranian gas infrastructure. He handled both disclosures transparently, presenting them as natural features of an extraordinary alliance. Netanyahu maintained throughout that Israel’s military autonomy remained fully intact.
On the Hormuz issue, Netanyahu dismissed Iran’s closure threats as blackmail that would not work. He proposed pipeline corridors from the Arabian Peninsula to Israeli and Mediterranean ports as a permanent structural solution. Netanyahu argued this would create lasting energy resilience and permanently neutralize one of Iran’s most powerful strategic weapons.
Netanyahu concluded with analysis of Iran’s visible leadership confusion. He noted Mojtaba had not appeared publicly and admitted genuine uncertainty about who was governing the country. Netanyahu pointed to fierce competition for power in Tehran and concluded that this instability, combined with military losses, was driving the war toward a faster-than-expected conclusion.