Netanyahu: Israel “Crushing” Iran & Hezbollah, Warns Lebanon | Iran War Updates
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his country was “crushing Iran and Hezbollah” in his first press conference since the start of the conflict with Iran on . “We are living through historic days for the State of Israel,” he stated.
Netanyahu announced that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Jamenei, is unable to “appear in public” following the release of a first statement in his name by Tehran on Thursday. His father, former supreme leader Ali Jamenei, died in an attack on his compound in Tehran on the first day of the war, . “We have eliminated the old tyrant, and the new tyrant, a puppet of the Revolutionary Guard, cannot show his face in public,” Netanyahu said, emphasizing that “Iran is no longer what it was before the war.”
The prime minister asserted that a key objective of the current war is to provide Iranians with the means “to overthrow the regime” of the Islamic Republic, which has been in power since 1979. He also warned Lebanon that it was “playing with fire” if it did not disarm the Shiite militia Hezbollah.
Netanyahu outlined three core objectives driving the military campaign: neutralizing Iran’s nuclear capabilities, dismantling its missile systems, and facilitating regime change. He stated that Israel is “attacking the nuclear infrastructure, the missile system and launch capabilities, the centers of command of repression, the centers of power of the regime and many other targets.” However, he added that achieving regime change requires empowering the Iranian people to act. “You can lead someone to the source, but you cannot force them to drink,” he argued.
Direct Warning to Lebanon
The northern front also featured prominently in Netanyahu’s address. He delivered a direct message to the Lebanese government, demanding it take control over the activities of Hezbollah within its territory to prevent a direct Israeli intervention on Lebanese soil. “I told the Lebanese government that they are playing with fire if they let them act. If they don’t, we will. Hezbollah will pay a very high price, and it would be better if the Lebanese government took care of it,” he warned.
Netanyahu highlighted the complete alignment with the U.S. Administration, confirming he is maintaining “open” and daily conversations with President Donald Trump. Trump, according to Axios, has reportedly urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to halt Netanyahu’s corruption trial, stating he wants the prime minister focused solely on the war with Iran.
As Netanyahu spoke, the Israel Defense Forces announced the commencement of a “major wave of attacks” against key infrastructure in Tehran, extending the strikes to Hezbollah targets in Beirut and southern Lebanon. Netanyahu concluded his briefing by characterizing the current period as “historic days,” asserting that objectives had been met “more than expected,” but emphasizing that the war continues.
Netanyahu also called for an end to what he described as the “absurd circus” of his corruption trial – facing charges of alleged fraud and breach of trust – to allow him to focus on the war with Iran, and Hezbollah. Since the start of the war, the prime minister has submitted numerous requests for postponements of court appearances, citing health concerns, security issues, or diplomatic visits. “The right thing to do is to end this absurd circus, to give the State of Israel and myself time to deal with this war, something I think about during all the hours I am awake, and there are many,” he said.
The current conflict, initiated on , represents a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran, a rivalry that has played out for decades through proxy conflicts and covert operations. Operation Lion’s Roar, as the joint Israeli-U.S. Campaign is known, targets facilities of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and the Basij, as well as ballistic missile sites. The stated aim is to end the threat posed by the Ayatollah regime, which Israel accuses of supporting terrorism, developing nuclear weapons, and seeking to destabilize the region.
The potential for wider regional escalation remains high. Hezbollah, a powerful Iranian-backed militia in Lebanon, has been exchanging fire with Israel, raising concerns about a second front opening in the north. The conflict also carries the risk of drawing in other actors, such as Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, where Iran has significant influence. The United States’ involvement, while currently focused on supporting Israel, could deepen depending on the trajectory of the conflict.
The timing of this escalation is particularly sensitive, given the ongoing political turmoil within Israel. Netanyahu, facing corruption charges and a deeply divided coalition, has long sought to portray himself as a strong leader capable of defending Israel against external threats. The war with Iran provides him with an opportunity to rally public support and potentially delay or even halt his trial, as highlighted by President Trump’s intervention. However, a prolonged and costly conflict could also further erode his political standing and lead to calls for his resignation.