Iran’s Arsenal Decimated, Regime Change Depends on Iranian People: Netanyahu

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran no longer has the capability to enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles after 20 days of joint strikes by Israel and the United States, even as differences surfaced between him and US President Donald Trump over a recent attack on a key Iranian gas facility.

Addressing reporters, Netanyahu claimed the military campaign had significantly degraded Iran’s offensive capabilities.

He said that in the first phase of the operation, missile stockpiles were destroyed and drone and missile arsenals, along with nuclear infrastructure, were heavily impacted.

He added that the current phase targets Iran’s ability to rebuild.

"We are winning and Iran is being decimated. We are wiping out their entire industrial base that we didn't before," Netanyahu said.

How Are Israel and the United States “Protecting the World” Through Strikes on Iran?

He further asserted that Israel and the United States are "protecting the entire world" through the campaign. However, he did not provide evidence to substantiate these claims.

On the political future of Iran, Netanyahu said it was "too early to say" what outcome could emerge, while stressing that efforts are underway to create conditions for change.

"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.

"You can't do revolutions from the air... there has to be a ground component as well," he said, declining to elaborate further.

On energy security, Netanyahu said Israel is supporting US-led efforts to stabilise global markets by reopening key shipping routes.

"Americans are working very hard... to open the Strait of Hormuz. And if they succeed, which I think they will, then oil prices will come down," he said.

He also proposed long-term alternatives to reduce reliance on maritime chokepoints.

"Instead of going through the choke points of the Strait of Hormuz... have oil pipelines, gas pipelines going West through the Arabian Peninsula right up to Israel, and our Mediterranean ports," he said, describing the idea as "definitely possible."

How Is Israel Coordinating With Trump on Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions?

Highlighting coordination with Trump, Netanyahu said the US President shares concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

"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,” Netanyahu said.

“He understood that. He explained it to me. I didn't explain it to him," he said, adding, "Our partnership is the only way to avoid this catastrophic development."

"I also see this war ending a lot faster than people think," he said.

Meanwhile, signs of divergence emerged between Netanyahu and Trump following Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, which triggered retaliatory Iranian attacks on energy infrastructure across the region and led to a surge in global energy prices.

Why Did Trump Disapprove of Israel’s Strike on Iran’s Gas Field?

Speaking during an Oval Office meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump said he neither agreed with nor approved of the strike.

"I told him, 'Don't do that,'" Trump said of Netanyahu's decision to strike. "We get along great. It's coordinated, but on occasion he'll do something. And if I don't like it -- and so we're not doing that anymore."

Netanyahu, however, said Israel "acted alone" and confirmed that he has agreed to Trump's request to avoid further attacks on the gas field.

He sought to downplay any differences. "It's been said that for 40 years I've been saying that Iran is a danger to Israel and a danger to the world. That is true," he said. "You know who else said that? President Trump."

"Look, I don't think any two leaders have been as coordinated as President Trump and I. He's the leader. I'm his ally. America is the leader,” he added.

Trump earlier said in a social media post that the United States "knew nothing" about the strike before it was carried out.

However, two people familiar with the matter, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Washington was made aware of Israel’s plan in advance and that targets are being coordinated between the two allies.

(With inputs from ANI)