Get you up to speed: Israel outlines three goals for war in Iran amid tensions with Trump
Benjamin Netanyahu set out Israel’s three goals for the war in Iran, which include removing the nuclear threat and ballistic missile threat. Netanyahu stated that air strikes alone would not be sufficient to bring about regime change, suggesting that a ground component may be necessary.
Benjamin Netanyahu outlined Israel’s three goals for the war in Iran, stating, “One, removing the nuclear threat. Second, removing the ballistic missile threat, and removing both of these threats before they’re buried deep underground.” He added that air strikes alone would not suffice for regime change, suggesting that “there has to be a ground component as well.”
Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, outlined three goals for the ongoing conflict with Iran: removing the nuclear and ballistic missile threats and creating conditions for the Iranian people to attain freedom. He indicated that while Iran is “weaker than ever,” it is still uncertain whether the Iranian populace will mobilise to challenge their government.
Netanyahu declares ‘I’m alive’ before addressing Trump rift over Iran gas field attack | News World
Benjamin Netanyahu denied dragging the US into war with Iran and set out Israel’s three goals for the conflict last night – but not before bashing the ‘fake news’ of his demise.
The prime minister opened his 45-minute press conference last night with the words: ‘First of all, I just want to say – I am alive, and you are all witnesses.
‘Now that I despatch this piece of fake news, I want to give you an update on Operation Roaring Lion.’
After dispelling them once again, Netanyahu quickly turned his attention to the war in Iran.
‘Trump is the leader – we get along great’
He addressed the apparent split that has emerged in his partnership with US President Donald Trump since Israel’s strike on the South Pars gas field – the world’s biggest and an energy lifeline for Iran.
The attack prompted Iran to retaliate against energy infrastructure in other Middle East countries, sending global energy prices spiralling even further.
It left Trump and Netanyahu facing questions on whether they’re entirely in sync in prosecuting the war that began as a closely coordinated joint attack on the longtime regional foe.
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Israel will not strike Iran’s South Pars gas field again unless Tehran retaliates (Picture: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Fire breaks out at the Shahran oil depot after US and Israeli attacks in Tehran, Iran (Picture: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Trump, during an Oval Office meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, told reporters that he neither agreed with nor approved of Israel’s attack.
‘I told him, “Don’t do that”,’ Trump said of Netanyahu’s decision to strike.
‘We get along great. It’s coordinated, but on occasion he’ll do something. And if I don’t like it — and so we’re not doing that anymore.’
Netanyahu said Israel ‘acted alone’ and that he’s agreed to Trump’s request that Israel hold off on any further attack on Iran’s giant gas field.
The prime minister also sought to downplay any space between him and Trump.
‘It’s been said that for 40 years I’ve been saying that Iran is a danger to Israel and a danger to the world. That is true,’ he said.
‘You know who else said that? President Trump.’
President Donald Trump shakes hands with Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a news conference at Mar-a-Lago (Picture: AP)
Netanyahu later added: ‘Look, I don’t think any two leaders have been as coordinated as President Trump and I. He’s the leader. I’m his ally. America is the leader.
‘Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?’
Israel’s three goals for Iran war
The Israeli leader also set out his three goals for the war in Iran: ‘One, removing the nuclear threat.
‘Second, removing the ballistic missile threat, and removing both of these threats before they’re buried deep underground and become immune from aerial attack.
‘And third, this means creating the conditions for the Iranian people to grasp their freedom, to control their destiny.’
Air strikes alone not enough to bring about regime change
Netanyahu said Iran is ‘weaker than ever’ three weeks into the war, but that it is still too soon to tell whether Iranians would take to the streets to try to overthrow their government.
‘It’s up to the Iranian people to show that, to choose the moment and to rise to the moment,’ he said.
The Israeli PM said air strikes alone would not topple the regime, and suggested boots on the ground may be required to finish the job.
‘There has to be a ground component as well, he said. ‘There are many possibilities for this ground component, and I take the liberty of not sharing with you all those possibilities.’
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