Netanyahu warns Iran war ‘not over’ as US divide grows
Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu warned the Iran war was “not over” and vowed to defend Israel against further attacks.
- He said he discussed three options with Trump: a deal, military action and tighter economic pressure.
- Netanyahu questioned whether a deal with Iran was possible and threatened a “much stronger” military response.
The Israeli prime minister rejected prospects of a deal with Tehran and warned Iran could face a far stronger military response if it attacks Israel.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that the war with Iran is “not over”, as signs of a divide with the United States over the next steps appeared to grow.
Speaking in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Netanyahu said Israel would continue to defend itself against Iran and insisted the country would face no future threat from Tehran.
“This is our land and it will remain ours forever. There is, of course, a very major struggle around us to uproot us not only from the heart of our land, but to uproot us altogether from the State of Israel,” he said. “There will be no threat from Iran.”
Netanyahu said he had discussed three possible approaches to Iran with US President Donald Trump: a deal, military action or tougher sanctions.
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He expressed doubt that an agreement with Tehran could be reached.
“A good deal, we have no objection. I am doubtful, with this bunch over there, with these savages. Can a deal be made? I'm telling you. It's impossible to make a deal with them,” he said.
Netanyahu then addressed the possibility of further military action, referring to what US officials have described as a “kinetic option”.
“A second option is an option. What do they call it? These sanitized words? A kinetic option. Have you heard these words? A kinetic option, in short, military action. I told him we are there, we will defend ourselves,” he said.
“We won't let Iran attack us, and if God forbid they attack us, or if they attack us, they will suffer a blow they never dreamed of, much stronger than what they have suffered until now. Much stronger. And I said there is also a third option. And the third option. To tighten the siege.”
Netanyahu said Trump's latest secondary economic sanctions were aimed at “tightening the siege on those who help this regime”.
The United States announced earlier this week that it was “tightening the noose” on countries and businesses dealing with Iran.
Reports earlier this week suggested Washington was returning diplomats across the Middle East as the Trump administration appeared to move away from further military action and turn its attention towards the November midterm elections.
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Netanyahu has faced criticism over claims that he “bounced” Trump into the latest conflict with Iran, an allegation denied by both Israel and the United States.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
