Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel and the United States were “winning” the war against Iran, claiming the Islamic republic had been “decimated” and could no longer enrich uranium or manufacture ballistic missiles.
In an English-language press conference, Netanyahu insisted Israel had “acted alone” in striking Iran’s massive South Pars gas field, while confirming that US President Donald Trump had asked Israeli forces to “hold off” on such attacks moving forward.
The Israeli premier also rejected the notion that he had drawn Trump into the conflict, implying instead that he was the junior partner in the joint assault on Iran.
“Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?” Netanyahu told reporters.
“He didn’t need any convincing,” he added.
“I don’t think any two leaders have been as coordinated as President Trump and I. He’s the leader. I’m, you know, his ally.”
The veteran politician sought to present a broad picture of success for the nearly three-week conflict that has engulfed the Middle East.
“We are taking action to destroy the industries that make it possible to build missiles. Iran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium or manufacture ballistic missiles,” Netanyahu said.
“We are winning, and Iran is being decimated.”
He added that the offensive is creating divisions among the remaining leaders of the Islamic republic—cracks Israel aims to deepen.
“I’m not sure who’s running Iran right now. Mojtaba, the replacement ayatollah, has not shown his face,” he said, referring to Mojtaba Khamenei, reportedly succeeding Ali Khamenei, who was said to have been killed in an Israeli airstrike at the start of the war.
“What we see is that there is a lot of tension among those competing for power,” Netanyahu added.
“We’re seeing cracks, and we’re trying to widen them as quickly as possible—not only at the top level but also in the field.”
‘Hold off’
The strike on the Iranian gas field has shaken already volatile global energy markets, and Trump on Thursday signalled displeasure with the move.
“We’re not doing that anymore,” the president said in the Oval Office.
Netanyahu confirmed the message had been received.
“President Trump asked us to hold off on future attacks, and we are complying.”
He also described Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz—which has driven energy prices higher—as “blackmail” that “won’t work.”
The Israeli leader indicated that the campaign would continue, saying: “There’s still more work to do, and we’re going to do it.”
However, he added: “I also see this war ending much faster than people think.”
