Netanyahu says Israel did not pull the U.S. into the Iran conflict

Benjamin Netanyahu said that after nearly three weeks of joint U.S.–Israeli airstrikes, Iran no longer has the ability to enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles. Speaking at a press conference, he claimed Israel is gaining the upper hand and that Iran’s missile and drone systems are being heavily damaged and will eventually be wiped out.

He added that current strikes are targeting factories involved in building missile parts and nuclear-related materials. However, Netanyahu did not present evidence to support his statement about Iran’s nuclear capability.

The conflict began after nuclear negotiations with Iran broke down, leading to U.S. and Israeli air attacks starting on February 28. In response, Iran has launched missiles toward Israel and some Gulf countries, and has also restricted tanker movement through the Strait of Hormuz, raising global concerns.

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Despite the nearly three-week war, it was still too soon to tell whether Iranians would take to the streets to try to overthrow their government, Netanyahu said.

“It’s up to the Iranian people to show that, to choose the moment and to rise to the moment,” he said.

While the war so far has been conducted via air attacks, Netanyahu said there has to be a ground component as well and “there are many possibilities for this ground component.” He did not elaborate.

Netanyahu also denied he dragged the United States into the conflict.

“Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?” he said.