WANA (Jul 01) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu renewed his threats against the Islamic Republic of Iran, claiming that Israel has already carried out two military operations against what he described as Iran’s “nuclear threat” and would do so a third time if necessary.

 

Speaking in an interview with Israel’s Channel 14, Netanyahu claimed: “We entered Iran twice to save ourselves from destruction caused by nuclear weapons. If necessary, we will do it a third time.”

 

His remarks come after other senior Israeli officials, including the country’s defense minister, also issued threats against Iran, with Netanyahu’s latest comments seen as a continuation of Israel’s confrontational rhetoric toward Tehran.

 

Addressing the situation on the Lebanese border, Netanyahu claimed that Israeli forces remain deployed in the area and asserted that what he described as a “security belt” extending roughly 10 kilometers into Lebanese territory had been established with the agreement of the Lebanese government. He further claimed that both Hezbollah and Iran are angered by the arrangement.

 

Referring to the October 7, 2023, Al-Aqsa Flood operation, Netanyahu also threatened to target everyone involved in the attack and reiterated his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state.

 

Netanyahu also responded to recent remarks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, criticizing Ankara’s position and claiming that Erdoğan seeks Israel’s destruction and the restoration of Ottoman control over Jerusalem. Referring to the end of the Ottoman Empire, Netanyahu said Erdoğan “should calm down,” adding that Israel would not allow any party to threaten its security or existence.

 

In another notable statement during the interview, Netanyahu suggested that Israel intends to phase out its reliance on U.S. financial assistance. Describing the aid as “a kind of stipend,” he argued that Israel’s economy is no longer a small one and said he wants the process of ending such assistance to begin this year.