Netanyahu says US-Israel war on Iran will be quick and decisive, not an 'endless war'
The Facts
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran may take some time but will not last for years or become an "endless war."
- Netanyahu described the joint operation against Iran as a "quick and decisive" action rather than a prolonged conflict.
- Netanyahu said the U.S. and Israel decided to strike because Iran was constructing new underground sites and bunkers that he claimed would soon make its nuclear and ballistic missile programs effectively immune to attack.
- The U.S.-Israeli air campaign against Iran began with strikes on Saturday that hit Tehran and killed Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
- Following the initial strikes, Iran retaliated with attacks against Israel and missile or other strikes on Arab countries hosting U.S. bases across the Middle East.
- In the Fox News interview, Netanyahu said the goal of the campaign includes creating conditions for the Iranian people to take control of their destiny and form a democratically elected government.
- Netanyahu characterized Iran's ruling regime as fanatical and unreformable, accusing it of pursuing goals such as destroying America and repeatedly chanting "Death to America" and "Death to Israel."
- U.S. President Donald Trump initially suggested the war against Iran could last four to five weeks but acknowledged it might go on longer, while Netanyahu publicly rejected the idea of a years-long conflict.
Context
What triggered the current U.S.-Israeli war against Iran?
The conflict was triggered when the United States and Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iran, beginning with attacks on Tehran on a Saturday that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, after which Iran retaliated against Israel and Arab states hosting U.S. bases across the region Guardian,Investing.com,India Today,IndexHR,En Son Haber,Reuters,Reuters.
Why does Netanyahu say the strikes on Iran were necessary now?
Netanyahu argues the strikes were necessary at this moment because, after earlier attacks on its nuclear and missile infrastructure, Iran began building new underground facilities and bunkers that he claims would have made its nuclear and ballistic missile programs effectively immune to future military action within months if left unchecked Livesystems,Middle East Eye,MoneyControl,Ouest France,Rediff.com India Lt…,En Son Haber,20minutes,ANSA.it,Haberler.
How long do leaders say the war might last?
Netanyahu has repeatedly said the campaign will be a quick and decisive action that may take some time but will not last for years or become an endless war, while President Donald Trump initially projected a duration of four to five weeks but has acknowledged it could go on longer Fox News,Investing.com,MoneyControl,India Today,Ouest France,IndexHR,20minutes,POLITICO,Reuters,Reuters.
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