Netanyahu: The war will not end until the Iranian regime is toppled
Occupied Jerusalem – Agencies: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced yesterday that his talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, held today at the White House, would address a number of files, foremost among them Iran, specifying that ending the war requires the fall of the regime in Tehran. He also affirmed his refusal to withdraw from occupied areas in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria. Netanyahu added that the current phase, which he described as complex, requires both firmness and great wisdom, and clarified that he would discuss all pending issues with Trump, stressing that Israel seeks to maintain its security while simultaneously expanding the circle of peace around it, according to his expression.
The Israeli prime minister stated that the war with Iran would not end until the Iranian regime is toppled or weakened to the point where it recognizes the necessity of ending its nuclear program. He affirmed in interviews with U.S. media that Iran’s nuclear program must be ended, whether through an agreement or without one. He added that if Iran attacks us in any way, our response will be strong, considering that what Iran does without a nuclear weapon demonstrates the scale of the threat, and asking how much greater it would be if it possessed one.
Israeli media revealed that Netanyahu informed members of the Small Security Cabinet (the Cabinet) that he intends to reject any U.S. demands for a broad withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, southern Lebanon, or Syrian territories. According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Netanyahu said during the Cabinet meeting that the United States had presented a list of demands that included a large-scale withdrawal from the three fronts in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, adding, “I intend to oppose that, and I will tell them no.”
Netanyahu stated that Israel is fighting Hezbollah with great success, noting that merely proposing an agreement regarding Lebanon represents significant progress, as it shows that Hezbollah’s ability to intimidate the Lebanese government has diminished considerably. He described the signing of the framework agreement with Lebanon, under U.S. sponsorship, as a major achievement for Israel, pointing out that Israeli forces will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed.
