Netanyahu: Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Capabilities ‘Neutralized’ as U.S.-Israel Campaign Intensifies

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Thursday that Iran has lost its ability to enrich uranium and manufacture ballistic missiles following nearly three weeks of coordinated U.S.-Israeli airstrikes, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict.

Speaking during a televised press conference on the 20th day of the war, Netanyahu said the joint military campaign—launched after nuclear negotiations collapsed on Feb. 28—has delivered unprecedented damage to Iran’s military capabilities and industrial infrastructure. He asserted that the sustained strikes have gone beyond surface-level targets and are now dismantling the foundational systems behind Iran’s weapons programs.

“I can tell you that Iran no longer has the ability to enrich uranium and it no longer has the ability to produce ballistic missiles,” Netanyahu stated, though he did not provide direct evidence to substantiate the claim. He added with confidence, “We are winning, and Iran is being decimated,” emphasizing that Israeli and American forces are now targeting the industrial backbone of Iran’s missile production and nuclear development efforts.

Despite the intensity of the campaign, Netanyahu confirmed that Israel will refrain from further strikes on Iran’s massive South Pars natural gas field at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump. Earlier attacks on energy infrastructure had raised alarms in global markets, fueling concerns about potential disruptions to worldwide energy supplies. The decision to pause strikes on the gas field underscores the close coordination between Washington and Jerusalem, as both nations seek to balance decisive military action with broader economic stability.

Netanyahu also outlined what he described as sweeping battlefield gains. He said hundreds of Iranian missile launchers have been destroyed, while stockpiles of drones and missiles are being systematically degraded. According to his assessment, Iran’s air defenses have been rendered largely ineffective, significant portions of its navy—including assets in the Caspian Sea—have been destroyed, and its air force has been severely weakened. He further claimed that Iran’s command-and-control systems are now in “utter chaos,” limiting the regime’s ability to respond effectively.

In addition to targeting infrastructure, Israeli operations have reportedly eliminated key figures within Iran’s military leadership, including senior commanders from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij paramilitary force. These developments, Netanyahu suggested, are compounding the pressure on the Iranian regime at both strategic and operational levels.

The prime minister said the joint operation, known as “Operation Rising Lion,” is guided by three central objectives: eliminating Iran’s nuclear weapons capability, dismantling its ballistic missile threat, and creating conditions that would allow the Iranian people to determine their own future. He praised the partnership with the United States, stating, “America and Israel are acting together with great determination and unprecedented strength,” and dismissed suggestions that Israel had drawn Washington into the conflict. “Does anyone really think someone can tell President Trump what to do?” he added.

The conflict has already produced significant regional ripple effects. Iran has responded with missile strikes against Israel and several Gulf nations, while also attempting to disrupt maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most vital energy corridors. Netanyahu warned that Iran’s ambitions extend beyond the immediate region, describing the regime as a broader global threat. “This regime is not only attacking Israel and America—it is attacking the entire Middle East and beyond,” he said, cautioning that a nuclear-armed Iran would endanger major cities across Europe and North America.

While the campaign has thus far relied primarily on air power, Netanyahu indicated that additional phases could include ground operations. “There has to be a ground component as well,” he said, without elaborating on specific plans. He also acknowledged that it remains uncertain whether sustained military pressure will lead to widespread unrest within Iran, though he reiterated Israel’s long-term vision of enabling the Iranian people to reclaim control over their future.

As the war enters what he described as a decisive stage, Netanyahu declined to offer a timeline for its conclusion. “It will take as long as necessary,” he said, signaling that both Israel and its allies are prepared for a prolonged campaign if required.

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