Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly defended his government's position on an emerging deal between the United States and Iran, declaring unequivocally that Iran will "never" acquire nuclear weapons. Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu addressed growing resentment and criticism within Israel concerning the potential agreement.
Netanyahu Defends Israel's Security Stance
Netanyahu emphasized that regardless of whether a formal agreement is signed, Israel's commitment to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear capabilities remains absolute. "Iran will never have nuclear weapons, not today and not tomorrow," he stated. He further asserted that his administration had successfully "removed the immediate threat of annihilation" and "saved the State of Israel from the threat of total destruction."
His remarks came after a day of intense criticism from both opposition figures and his own coalition partners. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett accused Netanyahu's government of a "historic failure against Iran," suggesting he would have leveraged his diplomatic "credit with President Donald Trump" differently for Israel's national interests.
Iran's Position on Lebanon and Commitments
Meanwhile, Iran reiterated its stance that Lebanon remains an integral part of the understanding linked to ending regional conflicts. According to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, Iran's position on Lebanon has been consistent throughout negotiations. Baghaei stated that Tehran would closely monitor developments and ensure all parties uphold their commitments.
Despite differing interpretations of the US-Iran agreement, with some Israeli officials maintaining that Lebanon was not part of the arrangement, Netanyahu ruled out any withdrawal from South Lebanon. He affirmed that Israel had established extensive security zones in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, where it had "destroyed all of Assad's army weapons," and would maintain these zones for as long as necessary to protect the country.
Domestic Criticism and US Relations
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, a coalition ally, declared that the emerging agreement was "not binding" on Israel. Addressing speculation about a potential "fallout" with the US President, Netanyahu remarked, "There are times when President Trump and I don't see eye to eye. Israel's security interests need to be defended wisely." He reiterated Israel's resolve to stay in the security buffer zone in Lebanon as long as required, despite ongoing diplomatic discussions.