Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Iran is actively working to rebuild its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities following the Israel-Iran war that took place in June. Netanyahu’s comments come at a time when tensions in the Middle East remain high and global attention is focused on Iran’s nuclear ambitions, Israel’s war with Hamas, and the future stability of the region.
Iran’s nuclear and missile efforts after the June war
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran is trying to rebuild its nuclear and ballistic missile programs after heavy damage in the June conflict.
Referring to US President Trump’s comment that Iran’s Fordow nuclear facility was “obliterated,” Netanyahu agreed it was damaged but warned Tehran is seeking other sites to continue nuclear work. He added Iran is also trying to restore its ballistic missile production, which Israel sees as a major threat.
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“We set them back considerably,” Netanyahu said, but noted Iran remains determined to rebuild its capabilities. He also said it is unclear whether Iran has decided to fully pursue a nuclear weapon, with US warnings and lessons from the war potentially influencing its actions.
Netanyahu emphasized that Israel views Iran’s nuclear program as a serious threat to regional and global security and will act if necessary.
Gaza ceasefire stalled over Hamas disarmament
During the interview, Netanyahu also spoke about the situation in Gaza and the ceasefire negotiations involving Hamas. He said that the main obstacle to moving forward to the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire is Hamas’ refusal to disarm.
Netanyahu stated that Hamas had committed to disarm as part of the process, but has failed to do so. He said the militant group still has a large number of fighters and weapons.
According to Netanyahu, Hamas currently has around 20,000 armed fighters. He added that the group possesses approximately 60,000 Kalashnikov-style rifles. These weapons, he said, allow Hamas to continue operating as an armed force rather than transitioning into a non-military role.
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In addition to weapons, Netanyahu said Hamas has refused to dismantle its vast tunnel network in Gaza. He claimed that hundreds of kilometers of underground tunnels, used for attacks and movement of fighters, remain intact.
The Israeli prime minister stressed that disarmament is the key issue standing in the way of a new governing structure in Gaza. He said that without Hamas giving up its weapons, it is impossible to establish a different authority to manage the territory.
Netanyahu explained that Hamas disarmament could happen either through direct Israeli action or with the help of an International Stabilization Force. Netanyahu said that Israel must remove Hamas’ military power before implementing any lasting political arrangement in Gaza. He added that Israel addresses security concerns before taking political or humanitarian steps.
West Bank violence and regional diplomacy
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed questions about rising settler violence in the West Bank, which international observers have criticized and which has raised concerns about regional stability. Fox News host Bret Baier noted that such incidents seem to be increasing and could further inflame tensions in the area.
Netanyahu said that the media has exaggerated the issue. Around 70 young people, Netanyahu claimed, carry out the violence, and he added that most of them are teenagers from troubled or broken homes rather than residents of the West Bank.
According to him, the youths have cut down olive trees and, in some cases, attempted to set homes on fire. He stressed that he does not accept or support such behavior. However, he argued that the media’s portrayal creates a “false symmetry.”
He said it is misleading to compare these acts with what he described as more than one thousand terrorist attacks against Israeli settlers. Netanyahu emphasized that Israeli civilians, including families and mothers driving with their children, face serious and ongoing security threats.
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Beyond internal security matters, Netanyahu spoke about Israel’s wider regional objectives. He said the chances of expanding the Abraham Accords, which normalized ties between Israel and several Arab countries, are “really good.”
When asked about Saudi Arabia and Syria, Netanyahu said progress is possible due to Israel’s military actions that have weakened Iran and its regional allies. He added that interest in normalizing ties with Israel also extends to some Muslim-majority countries outside the Middle East.