Netanyahu Declares Iran Nearing Defeat, Cites Strategic Control of Hermon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz and Deputy IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai, visited Israeli positions on the Syrian slope of Mount Hermon. These positions were secured following the fall of Bashar Assad's regime in late 2024. After receiving briefings from Northern Command chief Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo and the commander of the 210th "Bashan" Division, Brig. Gen. Yair Play, Netanyahu issued a confident forecast, stating the Iranian regime is "very close" to defeat. He asserted that the collapse of Iran would lead to the downfall of the entire Tehran-backed "axis."

"The main task is to defeat the terrorist regime in Iran," Netanyahu stated. "We are very close to it. We know that the entire axis will ultimately collapse." He emphasized Israel's commitment to completing this mission, declaring, "We are committed to this and we will do it."

Netanyahu also highlighted the strategic importance of Israel's presence in the area, asserting that Israel will not permit any "terrorist army" to establish military infrastructure near its border. "We will not allow any terrorist army to entrench itself along our border," he said, calling control of the region one of Israel's greatest achievements during the war. The IDF took control of the Hermon summit in late 2024, advancing into the buffer zone on the Golan Heights immediately after the regime change in Damascus. Previously, Netanyahu had described these actions as defensive due to instability in Syria.

According to Netanyahu, the IDF will remain in the area until security guarantees are obtained for the border. From the Hermon summit, Israel can monitor a significant portion of the region, from the Hermon area to the Yarmouk River and towards the Mediterranean Sea. During his visit, Netanyahu described the position as strategic, noting Israel had never before possessed such a level of control over the area. "Damascus is here, Lebanon is there, the Syrian Golan is there, and we control this entire area," the prime minister stated.

The visit served as a demonstration of Israeli control over the Syrian border region and a platform for Netanyahu's new statement regarding Iran. Amid ongoing tensions with Tehran, the prime minister indicated that the current situation represents not the end of the confrontation, but the final stage before the defeat of Iran and its regional allies.