Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Friday that the world would be shocked by how swiftly the war with Iran concluded, pointing to the destruction of Tehran’s uranium enrichment and missile production capabilities, its internal leadership chaos, and the extraordinary US-Israel coordination as factors converging toward a rapid end. He rejected claims about Israeli manipulation of US foreign policy. Netanyahu’s press conference was ambitious and forward-looking, projecting certainty about an imminent Israeli victory.
The prime minister spoke about his partnership with Trump in terms that emphasized both its closeness and its genuine nature. He described their coordination as historically unprecedented and framed Trump as the alliance’s dominant force. Netanyahu revealed that Trump had contributed his own independently formed and analytically sophisticated understanding of Iran’s nuclear threat to their discussions, reflecting a genuine partnership of strategic equals.
Netanyahu confirmed Israel struck the South Pars gas complex alone and acknowledged Trump’s request to hold off on further strikes on Iranian gas facilities. He presented both facts transparently, treating them as natural features of an extraordinary close alliance. Netanyahu maintained throughout that Israel’s military autonomy remained fully intact.
On the Hormuz issue, Netanyahu labeled Iran’s closure threats empty blackmail. He proposed pipeline corridors from the Arabian Peninsula to Israeli and Mediterranean ports as a lasting structural solution. Netanyahu argued this infrastructure would permanently neutralize the Hormuz chokepoint and create durable energy security for the region.
Netanyahu concluded with observations about Iran’s visible leadership breakdown. He said Mojtaba had not been seen publicly since fighting began and admitted genuine uncertainty about who was governing the country. Netanyahu pointed to fierce competition for power in Tehran and concluded that this instability, combined with military losses, was driving the war toward a faster-than-expected conclusion.