The Israeli leader also reiterated that Israeli forces would remain deployed in southern Lebanon as long as they viewed the Iran-backed Hezbollah as a threat.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel could carry out another military operation against Iran if it deems it necessary, saying Tehran will not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons while he remains in office.
In an interview with Hebrew-language broadcaster Channel 14, Netanyahu said that Israel had already entered Iran twice to prevent what he described as an existential threat and would not hesitate to act again.
“We entered Iran twice to save ourselves from destruction. There will be a third time if necessary. As long as I’m Prime Minister Iran will not have nuclear weapons,” he said.
Netanyahu also asserted that Israel’s campaign against Iran and its regional allies was far from over, saying his pursuit of “total victory” continued despite what he described as significant military gains over the past three years.
“It never ends,” Netanyahu said when asked whether his Gaza war objective of achieving “total victory” was still in force. “Israel is stronger than it has ever been… We have more work to do. We will take care of what is left of the Iranian axis.”
The Israeli leader also reiterated that Israeli forces would remain deployed in southern Lebanon as long as they viewed the Iran-backed Hezbollah as a threat.
“Our position is clear: we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat has disappeared. And as long as Hezbollah, armed, is here and threatening us, we will stay here,” he said during a visit to Israeli troops in southern Lebanon on Tuesday.
Commenting on the possibility of rebuilding Israeli settlements in Gaza, Netanyahu said, “As for rebuilding settlements in Gaza, you have to be ready to act first and talk afterward. Sometimes it’s better to separate the two. That’s why I’m not going to add anything further on that subject.”
