Netanyahu says no compromise on stopping Iranian nukes, countering Hezbollah

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterates that Israel will not compromise on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons or on maintaining military pressure against its proxy Hezbollah, as today’s US-Iran talks in Switzerland fuel concerns in Jerusalem about potential constraints on Israel’s freedom of action.

“With regard to Iran: Whatever diplomatic developments may occur, I will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons. As long as I am prime minister of Israel, that will not happen,” the premier says, speaking in Hebrew at a memorial event marking the 50th anniversary of the death of his brother Yoni Netanyahu, who was killed while leading an elite IDF force in the Entebbe hostage rescue.

“To this sacred mission, I have dedicated my life since your fall, Yoni,” he says, vowing that Israel “stands firm in defense of our vital national interests.”

He repeats his assertion that he launched Israel’s campaigns against Iran over the past year “in order to remove the immediate threat of annihilation posed by the evil regime in Iran,” adding, “had we not acted, they would already have had nuclear bombs in their possession, and they would have used them.”

“We have achieved tremendous accomplishments, and we will not relinquish them. We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary in order to protect the precious residents of the north and all the citizens of Israel [from Hezbollah attacks]. As prime minister of Israel, I insist on this unequivocally, and nothing will change it,” he says.