Israel Says Iran Is at Its Weakest Since 1979 — and Vows to Finish the Job
Kehinde Adegoke | THE CHOSUNILBO
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated he will continue actions against Iran, declaring in a national address that Tehran is now at its weakest — and that Israel intends to keep it that way. “They tried to strangle us to death,” Netanyahu said, “but we are strangling them to death.”
Netanyahu said, “We have already achieved historic results,” and emphasised, “We acted against them, but there is more to do.” He added, “Iran is pleading for a ceasefire, and there are conflicts within its leadership.”
He also mentioned that he has dedicated his life to preventing Iran’s nuclear development and worked hard to alert the world to its dangers, but “the world did not listen to me.”
Regarding last June’s “Operation Rising Lion” strike against Iran, Netanyahu said, “We broke the barrier of fear,” and asserted, “We have significantly impacted their nuclear and missile programs.” He reaffirmed that Israel’s goal is to reduce Iran to what he called its “weakest state since 1979.”
He stated that Israel has established what he described as “safe zones” in the Palestinian Gaza Strip, Syria, and Lebanon, meaning areas under increased Israeli military presence, and said the government intends to “address” Hezbollah in Lebanon, referring to potential military operations.
Addressing criticism from Israeli opposition and the international community, he argued, “This is influenced by Iranian messaging intended to impact perceptions of Israel’s actions.”