Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has defended Israel’s military campaign against Iran, insisting that the operation achieved its primary objective of protecting Israel from what he described as an existential threat, even as criticism mounts over the newly announced US-Iran peace agreement.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, Netanyahu rejected claims that the war had failed to deliver meaningful results. “People ask me what we have achieved,” he said. “We removed the immediate threat of annihilation from ourselves. Most importantly, we saved the State of Israel from the threat of total destruction.” He also reiterated that Iran would never be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons, “with or without an agreement.”
The remarks came after the United States and Iran reached a peace agreement aimed at ending months of regional tensions. The deal has sparked debate within Israel, with opposition leaders and some members of Netanyahu’s own coalition arguing that it fails to eliminate Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities and leaves Tehran with significant strategic leverage.
Netanyahu maintained that the joint US-Israeli military campaign significantly weakened Iran’s military infrastructure and delayed its nuclear ambitions. According to the Israeli leader, the operation prevented what he described as a looming nuclear threat and strengthened Israel’s security position across the region.
However, critics contend that several of Israel’s broader war objectives—including regime change in Tehran and the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear and missile programs—remain unfulfilled. Analysts say the agreement was negotiated without direct Israeli involvement, raising concerns in Jerusalem about the long-term effectiveness of the deal.
Netanyahu also made clear that Israel would continue to act independently to safeguard its security interests. He stressed that Israel would not compromise on preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear power and signaled that military pressure could resume if necessary.
The debate over the agreement comes as Israel prepares for upcoming elections, with the Iran conflict and the country’s security strategy expected to remain central issues in the political campaign.