Iran 'definitely' holds chemical weapons even as nuclear capacity destroyed, Netanyahu warns

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Iran possesses chemical weapons and has been significantly set back in its ability to produce nuclear weapons following "Operation Roaring Lion." During an interview on Newsmax's "The Record With Greta Van Susteren," Netanyahu stated definitively, "They definitely have chemical weapons. That I can tell you. And that is another threat that they pose."

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They definitely have chemical weapons. That I can tell you. And that is another threat that they pose.

Netanyahu detailed the impact of the operation, claiming that US and Israeli strikes destroyed substantial Iranian infrastructure, including centrifuges and associated manufacturing facilities. He also stated that "20 of their top nuclear scientists" were eliminated. "So we pushed it back considerably," he added, comparing the action to excising cancer to prevent a potentially fatal recurrence.

The Prime Minister also addressed the threat Iran posed to the United States, explaining President Donald Trump's decision to join the conflict. Netanyahu argued that Iran's chant of "death to America, death to Trump" combined with the potential for nuclear-armed ballistic missiles created a grave danger for every American. "That's why President Trump decided to do this. He does what he thinks is good for the United States. And in this case, I would say it was essential for the security of the United States."

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We destroyed a lot of their infrastructure, a lot of their centrifuges, a lot of the associated factories and facilities that they use for manufacturing nuclear weapons, and we knocked out 20 of their top nuclear scientists. So we pushed it back considerably.

Netanyahu further characterized the Iranian government as oppressive to its own people, estimating that 80% of Iran's population hates the regime. He described the government as "theological thugs" who hold the population at gunpoint and have harmed over 40,000 Iranians protesting for liberty.

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America was threatened with a very great danger. Because if this regime that chants death to America, death to Trump, will destroy America and so on, if you give that regime the ability to have ballistic missiles that could reach the United States ultimately, and they could arm it with nuclear weapons, then every single American would be in danger.

Overall, Netanyahu suggested that the Iranian regime had been weakened by US and Israeli strikes, though he cautioned against complacency, implying the threat could resurface if not continually managed.

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Understand, this is a regime that has, you know, there are about 90 million people in Iran, and the vast majority, like 80%, hate this regime. They basically consider it theological thugs who took over the country and, you know, hold them at gunpoint. In fact, they shoot them. They murdered and maimed over 40,000 Iranians who are praying for their liberty.