Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday (local time) said Iran’s ability to enrich uranium and build ballistic missiles has been significantly weakened after nearly three weeks of joint military action by Israel and the United States.
Speaking to reporters, Netanyahu said the initial phase of the operation focused on destroying missile stockpiles and damaging Iran’s nuclear and drone infrastructure. He added that the current phase is aimed at crippling the factories and systems that allow Iran to rebuild those capabilities.
“We are winning, and Iran is being decimated. Iran’s missile and drone arsenal is being massively degraded and will be destroyed. Hundreds of their launchers have been destroyed, their stockpiles of missiles are being hit hard, and so are the industries that produce them. That’s important. In Rising Lion, we destroyed the missiles, and we destroyed a lot of the infrastructure. What we are destroying now are the factories that produce the components that make these missiles. We are wiping out their entire industrial base that we didn’t before.”
He described the campaign as a success so far, saying large numbers of missile launchers have been destroyed and production networks are being targeted. However, he did not present independent evidence to support these claims, according to reports by CNN.
The remarks come as tensions remain high in the region, with Israel, the United States, and Iran locked in an ongoing confrontation that has also raised concerns over global energy supply and stability in West Asia.
Focus shifts from weapons to production systems
Netanyahu said recent strikes have gone beyond hitting weapons and are now focused on dismantling the broader industrial base that supports Iran’s defence capabilities.
He claimed Iran’s air defences have been neutralised, parts of its naval fleet damaged, and its command systems disrupted. According to him, the aim is to weaken Iran’s military structure in a way that prevents quick recovery.
At the same time, he said Israel and the US were working to secure global energy routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz. Efforts to keep this route open, he added, could help stabilise oil prices.
Uncertainty over political outcome in Iran
While outlining military gains, Netanyahu said it was still unclear how the situation inside Iran would evolve politically. He said any major change would depend on the Iranian people themselves, even as external pressure continues.
He cautioned that leadership change cannot be achieved through air strikes alone and would require developments on the ground. Israel, he said, is trying to create conditions that could lead to change, but the outcome remains uncertain.
“It’s up to the Iranian people to… choose the moment and to rise to the moment. We can create the conditions, but they have to exploit those conditions,” he said.
On coordination with Washington, Netanyahu said Israel and the United States are closely aligned, particularly on preventing Iran from advancing its nuclear programme. He also dismissed suggestions that Israel had drawn the US into the conflict.
“I didn’t have to convince President Trump about the need to prevent Iran from developing its nuclear program, putting it underground, and being able to launch nuclear-tipped missiles at the United States. He understood that. He explained it to me. I didn’t explain it to him,” Netanyahu said, adding, “Our partnership is the only way to avoid this catastrophic development.”
Separately, Netanyahu clarified that a recent strike on Iran’s Assaluyeh gas facility was carried out by Israel alone. He added that US President Donald Trump had asked Israel to avoid further such attacks, and that request is being followed.
“Fact number one: Israel acted alone against the Assaluyeh gas compound. Fact number two: President Trump asked us to hold off on future attacks, and we’re holding off.”
He also pointed to signs of internal strain within Iran, though he stopped short of predicting a collapse of the current leadership. Even if the regime remains in place, he said, it would emerge weakened after the ongoing conflict.
Framing the situation more broadly, Netanyahu said the campaign was not only about Israel’s security but also about countering a wider threat. He warned that Iran’s actions, including attempts to disrupt key maritime routes, could affect global stability.
“In partnership with our American allies, we can do amazing things… It’s the two most amazing air forces in the world… the two most amazing intelligence services in the world,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the conflict may not drag on as long as many expect, though fighting continues across multiple fronts in the region.