Netanyahu claims Israel is ‘destroying’ Iran and Hezbollah as war escalates

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday stated that the ongoing joint military campaign between his country and the United States is inflicting enormous damage on Iran and its regional ally Hezbollah, and also urged Iran to rise up against their government.

The Israeli leader made the remarks in a televised news conference shortly after Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued his first statement since taking power, promising revenge for those killed in the conflict.

“We destroyed Iran and Hezbollah,” Netanyahu said in a televised news conference.

Speaking at length about Israel’s war strategy, Netanyahu indicated that apart from military objectives, the campaign also aims to shake the clerical leadership in Tehran.

“I have added a third goal, which is to create, for the Iranian people, the conditions for bringing down this regime,” Netanyahu said.

According to him, Israel’s main goal remains to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and dismantle its long-range missile capabilities.

The Israeli prime minister also issued a stern warning to the Lebanese government over the continued operations of Hezbollah, the powerful militant group that has launched numerous attacks against Israel during the conflict.

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“I said to the Lebanese government a few days ago – you are playing with fire if you continue to allow Hezbollah to operate, which is a violation of your commitment to disarm it,” he said.

“It’s time for you to do that. Now, if you don’t do it, obviously we will,” he continued.

Hezbollah said on Thursday that it had carried out several attacks on Israeli targets, including an attack on an air defense system near the coastal city of Caesarea, where Netanyahu has a private residence.

Israeli officials have warned that continued attacks by Hezbollah could trigger attacks on Lebanese government infrastructure.

Netanyahu also made sharp remarks at Iran’s new leader, describing him as unable to appear in public amid the conflict.

“We eliminated the old tyrant, and the new tyrant, a puppet of the Revolutionary Guards, cannot show his face in public.”

Earlier in the day, Khamenei had issued a brief statement on his behalf, read out on state television, promising retribution for the casualties Iran has suffered since the war began.