Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that the conflict with Iran cannot be considered over until its stockpile of enriched uranium is removed. Speaking to the American broadcaster CBS on the programme 60 Minutes, the Israeli Prime Minister argued that nuclear material remains a critical threat and that enrichment sites must be dismantled.
When asked how such a removal would be achieved, the Israeli leader suggested that the material simply needs to be taken out of the country. Netanyahu indicated that United States President Donald Trump shared this objective, claiming the president had expressed a desire to “go in there".
However, these remarks appear to contrast with the American leader’s recent public stance. Donald Trump faces growing domestic pressure to conclude the war and has maintained that Tehran’s nuclear programme is already contained.
In a separate interview with journalist Sharyl Attkisson, the 79-year-old Republican president asserted that Iran is “militarily defeated” and suggested the uranium could be secured “whenever we want". The US President stated that the sites are under surveillance and warned that any attempts to access the material would be met with military force. Despite these forceful words, the White House has signalled a desire to move away from active combat.
Benjamin Netanyahu clarified that while he believes the physical removal of the uranium is possible, he would prefer to achieve this through a formal agreement. The Prime Minister declined to discuss specific military options or a potential timetable for such an operation. Beyond the nuclear issue, the Israeli leader noted that other strategic aims remain unfulfilled, including the dismantling of Iran’s proxy networks and its ballistic missile production capabilities.
Addressing the broader geopolitical context, the Israeli Prime Minister acknowledged that China has provided support to Iran, specifically regarding components for missile manufacturing. He expressed optimism that the eventual collapse of the Iranian regime would lead to the downfall of its proxies, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis. While the Prime Minister described such a regime change as possible, he stopped short of calling it a guarantee.
In a notable shift regarding bilateral relations, Benjamin Netanyahu informed the American president that he intends to phase out the $3.8 billion in annual military aid Israel receives from the United States. He suggested that Israel should begin “weaning” itself from this support over the next decade, aiming to eventually reduce the commitment of American tax dollars to zero.
