Jerusalem, June 24 (Reuters) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday declared a “historic” victory over Iran, asserting that Israel had eliminated Tehran’s nuclear threat during a 12-day war backed by the United States.”We have neutralized two existential threats — Iran’s nuclear capability and its arsenal of 20,000 ballistic missiles,” Netanyahu said in a video statement from his office. “If Iran tries to restart its program, we will act with the same resolve. Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”The Israeli leader hailed the outcome as a generational milestone, crediting U.S. President Donald Trump for unprecedented support during the conflict. Netanyahu revealed that U.S. forces had deployed bunker-buster bombs to destroy Iran’s underground nuclear facility at Fordow.“Our friend President Trump stood by us firmly,” Netanyahu said. “Under his command, the U.S. military demolished the enrichment site at Fordow.”Despite praising Trump’s role, Netanyahu’s remarks came just hours after the U.S. President criticized Israel for breaching the terms of a ceasefire brokered by Washington.Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s broader mission remains incomplete, citing the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza. He noted that 50 hostages captured during Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack remain in captivity — with only 20 believed to be alive.”We must continue the fight against Iran’s proxies, defeat Hamas, and secure the release of every hostage — living or deceased,” he said.
