Netanyahu: "Immediate Threat Eliminated, But Fight Is Not Over"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that while the war has effectively ended following the conclusion of ceasefire negotiations and the immediate nuclear threat has been removed, the fight against Iran and its proxy forces is not yet over.

Prime Minister Netanyahu held a press conference at his office in Jerusalem on June 15 (local time), where he actively defended the achievements of the joint U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran.

First, he claimed that Iran's nuclear threat was an imminent danger, which he successfully eliminated in cooperation with Israel's ally, the United States.

"Whether there is an agreement or not, Iran will not have nuclear weapons for the time being," he asserted. "As long as I am the Prime Minister of Israel, that will never happen."

Netanyahu added, "We have targeted Iran's nuclear scientists, eliminated the leadership of the terrorist regime, and destroyed nuclear facilities. We have also destroyed missiles and missile manufacturing plants, and struck numerous military facilities."

He emphasized, "We have completely removed a danger that could have led to the annihilation of the Israeli people for years to come. This is what we have accomplished, and we have saved the State of Israel from the brink of destruction."

However, he declared, "The fight is not completely over. It will continue not only against Iran but also against 'Iran's proxies' operating in the Gaza Strip, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the West Bank."

In particular, he added, "We will take every measure possible to prevent Iran from possessing nuclear weapons, and we will continue to station troops in 'buffer zones' in southern Lebanon, Syria, and the Gaza Strip for as long as necessary."

When asked by a reporter whether Israel intends to strike Iran unilaterally or take independent military action against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Prime Minister Netanyahu avoided a direct answer.

Regarding rumors of a rift between himself and U.S. President Donald Trump that emerged during the ceasefire negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, he replied, "We are partners. We often agree, but there are times when we do not. As someone responsible for Israel's security interests, I do what must be done. This requires a great deal of experience."

Prime Minister Netanyahu cited his insistence on maintaining troops at the borders, despite pressure from the U.S. and Iran for an Israeli withdrawal, as a prime example of this approach.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.