Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed criticism that US President Donald Trump is being “dragged” into a war with Iran, insisting the joint US-Israeli military campaign will be swift, decisive and far from endless.
In an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News, Netanyahu laughed off what he called “ridiculous” claims by Trump’s critics, arguing that the American president is acting independently and with conviction.
“Donald Trump is the strongest leader in the world,” Netanyahu said. “You don’t have to drag him into anything. He does what he thinks is right, and this is right.”
‘Not an endless war’
Netanyahu said the ongoing military campaign, dubbed “Operation Epic Fury,” is designed to dismantle Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities in a concentrated push rather than evolve into a prolonged regional conflict.
“This is not an endless war,” he said. “This is, in fact, something that will usher in an era of peace that we haven’t even dreamed of.”
The Israeli leader argued that Iran’s leadership is at one of its weakest points in decades and that acting now would prevent what he described as a far greater threat in the future. He warned that Tehran had resumed constructing hardened underground facilities after earlier strikes and claimed its nuclear infrastructure could have become “immune within months” had action been delayed.
“If no action was taken now, no action could be taken in the future,” Netanyahu said, suggesting Iran could eventually “blackmail” the United States and its allies.
Reshaping the Middle East?
Framing the campaign as a strategic move to reshape regional dynamics, Netanyahu said weakening Iran would open the door to expanded diplomatic breakthroughs with Muslim-majority nations. He pointed specifically to Saudi Arabia as a state that stands to benefit from a diminished Iranian regime.
He cited the Abraham Accords — brokered during Trump’s previous term — as proof that major diplomatic shifts are possible in the wake of decisive action. Netanyahu suggested that further agreements could follow if Iran’s military capabilities are significantly curtailed.
Rising regional tensions
Netanyahu’s remarks come as smoke rises over parts of Tehran following reported strikes and as tensions escalate across the Gulf region. Critics of the campaign warn that sustained military operations risk destabilizing the broader Middle East and dragging the United States into a deeper confrontation.
But Netanyahu rejected that narrative outright.
“This is the exact opposite of an endless war,” he said. “This is a gateway to peace.”
