Netanyahu Declares Historic Success Against Iran’s Nuclear Program

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Saturday night that a joint operation with the U.S. targeting Iran has led to a “historic result.” He stated that the initiative successfully “crushed” Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.

According to Netanyahu, Iran now finds itself “begging for a cease-fire,” especially after U.S. negotiators left talks in Pakistan. He emphasized that Iran currently has “not a single active enrichment facility,” placing the nation in its weakest state since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the operation met its main goals of dismantling Iran’s missile and nuclear programs while significantly weakening the regime itself. In his televised address, he remarked that Iran has no functioning enrichment facilities left, thanks to relentless attacks by the U.S. and Israel that dismantled much of its nuclear infrastructure. He also noted that a majority of Iran’s missile production capacity has vanished, and remaining stockpiles are depleted.

Netanyahu positioned the results within a larger ideological and strategic framework, suggesting that Iranian leaders had long manipulated threats against Israel and the U.S. while enhancing their military capabilities and backing proxy forces throughout the region.

He dramatically stated, “They tried to strangle us and now we are strangling them. They threatened to wipe us out and now they are fighting to survive.”

He described the outcome as a strategic reversal of historic proportions, claiming that Iran’s tactics aimed at surrounding Israel and jeopardizing U.S. interests have been decisively overturned. The regime is now in a position of desperation, “begging for a cease-fire.”

Netanyahu explained that the operation encompassed various phases of military action against Iran, beginning with a 12-day war in June 2025. This original conflict culminated in assaults on three major U.S. nuclear sites during Operation Midnight Hammer, which expanded into the current joint operation that started on February 28, named Operation Roaring Lion in Israel and Operation Epic Fury in the U.S. He asserted that without this cooperation, “Iran would already have an atomic bomb.”

The initial military actions were prompted by intelligence indicating that Iran was nearing the weaponization of enriched uranium, leading to strikes targeting nuclear scientists and facilities, in coordination with U.S. forces. These actions aimed to neutralize an immediate existential threat.

Months later, further intelligence revealed that Iran’s leadership, under the then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei—who was subsequently killed—had ordered the revival of both nuclear and missile programs, relocating them deep underground to evade detection.

Netanyahu remarked, “He tried to bury both missile production and nuclear production deep under the mountain in a way that not even the B-2 aircraft could reach. Once again, we could not sit idly by. We took action.”

The current joint operations have methodically targeted various components of Iran’s military capabilities, including nuclear facilities, missile production sites, and leadership. The aim has been to weaken the regime to its “lowest and weakest level” since its inception in 1979.

He responded to dissent from critics, stating, “We have made great changes here.” He noted visible divisions within Iran’s elite and difficulties in addressing domestic pressures, asserting that there has been “a great achievement” and a “historic change.”

Netanyahu emphasized a strengthened alliance with the U.S., remarking that collaboration between the two countries has reached unprecedented levels. He argued that this shift is already reshaping the regional dynamics, contributing to new diplomatic interactions.

Citing Lebanon, he mentioned how the country has recently attempted to initiate direct peace talks—a significant development—and that discussions are expected to focus on dismantling Hezbollah.

Netanyahu reiterated a desire to disarm Hezbollah, stating, “We want Hezbollah’s weapons to be dismantled and we want a real peace agreement that will last for generations.” He indicated that this momentum extends beyond Lebanon, with more nations expressing interest in cooperation with Israel following this election cycle.

However, he cautioned that the operation is not yet finished, emphasizing there are still enriched nuclear materials in Iran that need addressing. “Iran still has concentrates,” he warned. “Either it will be removed by agreement or it will be publicized in another way.”

The remarks followed a breakdown in U.S.-Iran negotiations in Islamabad, where Vice President J.D. Vance announced that the American delegation was leaving without a deal after Tehran refused to agree to U.S. demands. “No agreement has been reached,” Vance stated, suggesting this is more unfavorable for Iran than the U.S.

He outlined the U.S.’s primary requirement as a “firm commitment” that Iran will not develop nuclear weapons or the capacity to quickly produce them. Before the talks began, President Donald Trump defined a successful agreement as one that prevents Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Additionally, Admiral Brad Cooper from U.S. Central Command noted that Iran has faced “generations of military defeat,” asserting its military buildup over 40 years was “shattered within 40 days.” Centcom announced that U.S. Navy forces have begun preparing to clear Iranian mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global energy passage, aiming to restore normalcy following disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict.

Netanyahu concluded by stating, “Iran is no longer the same Iran. And Israel is no longer the same Israel.”