Dermer Says Iran’s Nuclear Capability Has Been Destroyed

Former Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer made unusually blunt remarks Monday night at a United Hatzalah gala, touching on Iran, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel's ties with the United States, and the hostages and war in Gaza. Dermer, a close ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said the discussion around Iran should be viewed in the broader context of recent developments.

On Iran, Dermer said that two and a half years ago it was an existential threat to Israel, but three years later, “the nuclear capability of Iran has been destroyed.” He said Iran now has only highly enriched material buried at two sites, and that its ballistic capability has been set back years. “It gives us time to strengthen our defenses,” he said, adding that “Iran is much weaker.” He stressed that this is not a full nuclear deal, but an arrangement meant to reduce global economic pressure and, to some extent, pressure on Iran. He said Israel will know within two to three weeks whether Tehran is willing to give up its nuclear plans, and expressed doubt that it will.

Turning to the northern front, Dermer said Hezbollah is no longer the force it was on October 7 and is now perhaps 25% of its previous strength. He said defeating Hezbollah would require an army twice the size of the IDF, and insisted Israel will not allow a terrorist organization to threaten its borders. He said the prime minister has made clear that Israel must act to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding, and that the U.S. administration appreciates that position. He also referred to reports of an effort by Donald Trump to strike a nuclear deal with Iran at this critical moment.

On Israel-U.S. relations, Dermer argued that Israel is the regional power that can project strength and is a better ally than France or Britain. He said Israel is responsible for 20% of global cyber development despite its small population, and that countries ultimately align based on interests. On the hostage talks, he said the government had to balance bringing the captives home with protecting 10 million Israelis. He said Hamas wanted a 10-year negotiation, but the decision to send forces into Gaza City helped secure the release of the last hostage group, alongside diplomatic pressure from the Trump administration. He said the war ended on Israel’s terms, but “the work is not finished.”