Netanyahu: I told Biden offensive military option is needed on Iran, and a readiness to use it

Opposition leader and former PM Benjamin Netanyahu emerges from his meeting with Biden.

He says it was a “warm, excellent meeting,” and stresses their deep friendship and Biden’s “truly unwavering” commitment to Israel.

He notes Biden’s role in securing supplementary funding for Iron Dome and says Biden “supported us in many areas over the years.”

“We’ve been friends for 40 years,” he says, “but to ensure the next 40 years, we must deal with the Iranian threat.”

Sanctions and defensive military preparations are not enough, he says. “There must be a credible offensive military option.”

Adds Netanyahu: “I told him the [JCPOA] deal is lousy. He knows my position… I told him that with no credible military option, Iran won’t be stopped. If Iran isn’t deterred, that military option has to be used.”

“That’s my position, that’s my commitment, and I greatly hope that that is the American position.

“He said he agreed, and I was pleased to hear it.”

In any case, concludes Netanyahu, “that’s what I will do if and when I return to the Prime Minister’s Office.”