Following Trump Meeting, Netanyahu Stresses Military Option for Iran if Diplomacy Fails
Following his high-profile visit to the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday outlined strict conditions for a potential US-Iran nuclear deal, reiterating the need for physically destroying and dismantling Iranian nuclear infrastructure.
In a video statement released after his discussions with US President Donald Trump, Netanyahu clarified that while diplomacy remains an option, it must involve an approach similar to Libya’s 2003 nuclear disarmament, when US forces removed or destroyed all nuclear-related components.
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“We go in, blow up the facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision and American execution—that is good,” Netanyahu stated. He further warned that if Iran seeks to prolong diplomatic discussions without tangible progress, military action would be necessary, adding that he had extensively discussed such an eventuality with Trump.
Addressing recent US tariffs affecting Israeli exports, Netanyahu affirmed his commitment to reducing Israel’s trade deficit with the US to zero, describing it as “the least we can do for the United States and its president, who do so much for us.”
Regarding tensions with Turkey, Netanyahu expressed concerns over Ankara’s ambitions to establish military bases in Syria, describing it as a security threat to Israel. “We oppose this, we are working against this. I told President Trump, who is my friend and also a friend of Erdogan, ‘If we need your help—we will talk to you about it,'” Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu also reaffirmed his dedication to eliminating Hamas and securing the release of hostages taken on October 7. Countering media criticism alleging apathy toward the hostages’ suffering, he referenced Trump’s supportive comments during their Oval Office meeting, adding, “The president looked at me and said to reporters: ‘This man is working all the time to free the hostages.'”
