Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that the Israeli military remains prepared to confront Iran at any moment, despite the commencement of a temporary two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran. In a televised address on Wednesday, the premier emphasised that while a pause in hostilities is in effect, Israel’s strategic objectives regarding Iran’s nuclear and ballistic capabilities remain uncompromised.
Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the campaign is not yet over, describing the current truce as merely a “step along the way” to achieving total security objectives. “Our finger remains on the trigger,” he stated, adding that the state is prepared to return to combat immediately if required. The Prime Minister maintained that Iran enters this pause in a significantly weakened state following prolonged military pressure.
The statement follows domestic criticism from opposition figures, including Yair Lapid, who labelled the truce a “diplomatic disaster". In response, Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that the ceasefire was coordinated in full with Israel and dismissed claims that the government was surprised by the diplomatic shift. He reiterated that the central goal remains the elimination or severe degradation of Iran’s nuclear programme, which he continues to define as an existential threat.
Detailing the impact of recent operations, the Prime Minister highlighted the systematic destruction of missile production factories and critical nuclear infrastructure, including centrifuge facilities. He claimed that Israel’s efforts have caused Iran’s missile stockpiles to dwindle steadily. Furthermore, Benjamin Netanyahu noted that the campaign has successfully crippled the financial and weapons production networks of the Revolutionary Guards.
The conflict has also had a profound impact on Iran’s industrial and energy sectors. Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that Israeli operations targeted steel plants, petrochemical complexes, and transport infrastructure, dealing a significant blow to the regime’s economic apparatus. He argued that these strikes have demonstrated Israel’s ability to reach operative targets anywhere within Iranian territory.
The premier also praised the “unprecedented” partnership between Israel and the United States, describing their joint efforts as the largest military operation the Middle East has ever seen. Benjamin Netanyahu concluded by affirming that the removal of enriched uranium from Iran remains a non-negotiable objective, ensuring that the pause in fighting does not allow the regime to reconstitute its most dangerous assets.
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