Netanyahu claims: We Are Not Seeking Escalation with Iran
Tehran - BORNA - Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of the Zionist regime, addressed key issues including the Gaza war, the situation in the West Bank, Iran’s nuclear program, and regional relations in recent interviews with American networks Fox News and Newsmax. These interviews took place during Netanyahu's trip to the U.S. to meet with President Donald Trump and other American officials.
Regarding the regional situation, Netanyahu claimed: "Israel has emerged from the seven-front war imposed on us as the strongest country in the Middle East." He described these fronts as Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, the West Bank, and Iran. This claim comes as Western experts acknowledge that the Zionist regime has failed to achieve its goals in its aggression against regional countries and movements.
Hamas Still Has 20,000 Forces
The Prime Minister of the Zionist regime also stated that Hamas still possesses about 20,000 armed forces and has stored up to 60,000 Kalashnikov rifles and other weapons. He claimed: "Hamas must hand over all its weapons and destroy terrorist tunnels for the Gaza peace plan to move forward." Netanyahu added that efforts to deploy an international force in Gaza are underway but have not yet succeeded and "must be given time."
Military Control Over the West Bank
Referring to settler violence in the West Bank, Netanyahu claimed he is making a special effort to prevent "acts of revenge." He stated: "I want peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians living in the West Bank... but ultimately, Israel must have full military control over the West Bank."
'Iran Should Not Have Nuclear Enrichment Capability'
Continuing his claims, Netanyahu alleged that "the Fordow facility has been destroyed" and addressed Iran by saying: "Iran must accept the reality that it should not have nuclear enrichment capability."
He further stated he has no desire to escalate tensions with Iran, "but if Iran dares to attack, catastrophic consequences await." Netanyahu pointed to Iran’s efforts to rebuild its military capabilities following recent aggressive attacks, saying: "Iran has returned to production (of ballistic missiles). Regarding the nuclear program, I think Iran is trying to pursue it. I am not sure if Iran has decided to cross the red line, as I think Iran is influenced by President Trump’s warnings."
Iran has repeatedly emphasized that the peaceful use of nuclear energy is its legal right and that it will not negotiate over its defensive capabilities.
Claims Regarding Iran, Venezuela, and the U.S.
Netanyahu, who has been recognized as a war criminal by the Hague Tribunal, accused Iran of "exporting terrorism" beyond the region in a move seen as catering to Trump. He claimed: "We have had unbelievable success in weakening Iran; a country that was a first-rate power has now become a second or even third-rate power. Iran used to flex its muscles everywhere and export terrorism not only to the Middle East but also to Venezuela. Iran is complicit with the Maduro regime."
He further claimed: "Iran exports terrorism to America and the American hemisphere and wants to infiltrate Hezbollah and Hamas forces into the United States. Therefore, Hamas, Iran, and its proxies are threats not only to us (Israel) but to all U.S. allies and the U.S. itself." Netanyahu added: "I do not rule out the possibility of Iran sending weapons to Venezuela; this situation must change."
'Iran’s Missiles Would Reach the U.S.'
Repeating his previous rhetoric to portray Iran as a threat to the U.S., he said: "If Iran obtained a nuclear bomb, it would install it on its ballistic missiles; missiles that would ultimately reach the United States."
Normalization and Syria
Netanyahu claimed that Somaliland desires to join the Abraham Accords. Regarding potential normalization with Saudi Arabia, he claimed: "I think this could happen." This is while Saudi Arabia has previously stressed that there will be no normalization until a Palestinian state is formed.
Regarding the new rulers in Syria, Netanyahu noted that Trump "wants to give them a chance," but claimed "half of their army are jihadists." He added: "We have conversations that we never had with the Assad regime."
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