Netanyahu Vows to Prevent Iran Nuclear Weapons, Cites US Intelligence

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday evening at the Western Wall that Iran is attempting to re-arm with nuclear weapons, a claim he said aligns with Israeli intelligence and was corroborated by U.S. President Donald Trump's recent statement. Speaking ahead of Rosh Hashanah, Netanyahu asserted that following significant damage to its capabilities, Tehran is now trying to rebuild lost nuclear capacity.

"President Trump announced this evening that Iran is trying to re-arm with nuclear weapons, this is true," Netanyahu declared, adding that Israel has previously acted against Iran's immediate nuclear weapons production capabilities, referencing operations "With the Lion" and "Lion's Roar." Despite past strikes on Iranian infrastructure, he noted that efforts to recover and renew nuclear endeavors continue.

Netanyahu pledged that as long as he is prime minister, Israel will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons. "I promise you here, at the Western Wall, ahead of Rosh Hashanah: as long as I am prime minister, Iran will not have nuclear weapons," he vowed.

The prime minister also addressed Israel's broader campaign against what he termed the "Iranian axis," emphasizing that Israeli military activity is multi-fronted, not confined to a single theater. He specifically mentioned operations in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon against entities aligned with the Iranian axis, including the destruction of the Beaufort Ridge and ongoing actions at the Ali Taher Ridge.

These actions, Netanyahu explained, are part of a continuous effort to degrade the infrastructure and capabilities of Iran-backed groups along Israel's borders and throughout the region. "We are striking the Iranian axis, not only very hard in the Gaza Strip, but also in Lebanon. We destroyed the Beaufort Ridge and are now dealing with the Ali Taher Ridge," he stated. Netanyahu concluded by signaling that the campaign is ongoing, with further military and strategic operations against Iran and its allies expected. "To be continued," he finished.