Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the language of high-stakes strategy on Friday, declaring that Iran had gambled everything on its nuclear and missile programs and that Israel had called the bluff, eliminating both capabilities after twenty days of conflict. He rejected claims about Israeli manipulation of US foreign policy and expressed confidence that the war was nearing its conclusion. Netanyahu was bold and analytical throughout the press conference.
The prime minister addressed the Trump-Israel relationship in terms that emphasized shared conviction and genuine alignment. He described their coordination as historically unprecedented and framed Trump as the partnership’s dominant force. Netanyahu disclosed that Trump had contributed his own independently formed and analytically sophisticated understanding of Iran’s nuclear threat to their discussions, reflecting a genuine partnership of strategic equals.
Netanyahu confirmed Israel struck the South Pars gas compound alone and acknowledged Trump’s personal request to hold off on further attacks on Iranian gas infrastructure. He presented both facts transparently, framing them as natural features of a close and functioning alliance. Netanyahu maintained throughout that Israel’s military autonomy remained fully intact.
On the Hormuz issue, Netanyahu called Iran’s closure threats empty blackmail. He proposed overland pipeline routes from the Arabian Peninsula to Israeli and Mediterranean ports as a lasting structural solution. Netanyahu argued this infrastructure would permanently neutralize the Hormuz chokepoint and reduce global vulnerability to Iranian maritime pressure.
Netanyahu concluded with analysis of Iran’s leadership vacuum. He noted Mojtaba had not appeared publicly and admitted genuine uncertainty about who was governing the country. Netanyahu pointed to fierce competition for power in Tehran and concluded that this instability, combined with military losses, was pushing the conflict toward a faster-than-expected conclusion.