In a decisive televised address on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the joint military campaign spearheaded by the United States and Israel has successfully neutralised Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile ambitions. The announcement comes at a critical juncture, as diplomatic representatives from Washington and Tehran engage in a series of high-stakes, face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan aimed at resolving the broader regional conflict.
According to Benjamin Netanyahu, the intensive air campaign has effectively eliminated Iran’s ability to refine nuclear material, stating that the Islamic Republic no longer possesses a single functioning enrichment facility. This military intervention, which Benjamin Netanyahu revealed was initiated in June 2025 and escalated significantly following the outbreak of hostilities on February 28, was reportedly a preemptive strike against efforts by the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to fortify nuclear and missile assets deep within mountain strongholds.
Military supremacy and strategic gains
The Prime Minister emphasised that while Iran retains some stockpiles, its primary production capacity has "disappeared", leaving the administration in Tehran in a state of terminal decline. Benjamin Netanyahu characterised the current diplomatic overtures from Iran as a sign of a “weakened regime” now fighting for its own survival rather than regional dominance.
“They wanted to strangle us, and now we are strangling them,” Benjamin Netanyahu remarked, suggesting that the decade-long threat posed by Tehran’s regional alliances has been fundamentally broken. The Prime Minister argued that the strategic success of the war justifies the continued military pressure, even as negotiators in Islamabad attempt to formalise a durable ceasefire.
The Lebanese front and peace overtures
Beyond the Iranian theatre, Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the ongoing conflict in Lebanon, revealing that the government in Beirut has made several direct appeals for peace negotiations over the past month. While Benjamin Netanyahu has authorised the commencement of talks—scheduled to take place in Washington next week—he has anchored any potential agreement to two non-negotiable conditions: the total dismantling of Hezbollah’s arsenal and a generational peace pact.
The human cost of the conflict on the northern border remains high. Since the escalation began on March 2, Lebanese health officials report over 2,000 fatalities, including a significant number of civilians and medical personnel. Despite the diplomatic movement, the Israeli air force conducted its most extensive strike on Lebanon this week, underscoring Benjamin Netanyahu’s stance that military pressure remains the primary tool for securing Israeli interests.
Domestic dissent in Tel Aviv
The Prime Minister’s triumphalist tone was met with scepticism at home. In Tel Aviv, approximately 800 protesters gathered to voice their opposition to what they termed “endless wars". Demonstrators accused Benjamin Netanyahu of intentionally sabotaging the Iranian ceasefire by intensifying strikes in Lebanon.
Critics within Israel argue that the government’s refusal to seek a purely diplomatic solution reflects a lack of genuine interest in regional stability. However, for Benjamin Netanyahu, the “enormous achievements” of the recent campaign serve as the ultimate validation of a strategy designed to permanently alter the balance of power in the Middle East. As the third round of talks in Pakistan looms, the world remains focused on whether these claimed military victories will pave the way for a formal peace or a renewed cycle of regional volatility.
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