Netanyahu: War with Iran not over, enriched uranium must be removed

From Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Post reports on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's candid assessment of the ongoing conflict with Iran. In an interview with CBS News' 60 Minutes, Netanyahu emphasized that despite significant gains, the war is far from concluded. He highlighted the persistent threats posed by Iran's enriched uranium, its enrichment sites, and its support for proxies and ballistic missile development. The Prime Minister's assertion that the solution is straightforward – "You go in, and you take it out" – underscores a firm stance on neutralizing these threats.

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There is still nuclear material, enriched uranium, that has to be taken out of Iran. There are still enrichment sites which have to be dismantled. There are still proxies that Iran supports. There are ballistic missiles they want to produce. Now we've degraded a lot of it, but all of that is still there, and there is work to be done.

This perspective is particularly resonant within Israel, where the Iranian nuclear program has long been viewed as an existential threat. Netanyahu's remarks reflect a national security doctrine that prioritizes proactive measures to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The emphasis on dismantling enrichment sites and removing nuclear material directly addresses the core concerns of the Israeli public and security establishment.

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You go in, and you take it out. If you have an agreement, and you go in and you take it out, why not? That's the best way.

Furthermore, Netanyahu's declaration of intent to wean Israel off US military aid, a long-standing pillar of the bilateral relationship, signals a strategic shift towards greater self-reliance. While acknowledging the substantial current aid ($3.8 billion annually), his ambition to reduce it to zero over a decade, starting immediately, is a bold statement of Israel's growing capabilities and its desire for strategic autonomy. This move, if realized, would represent a significant recalibration of the US-Israel defense partnership, driven by Israel's own evolving security and economic considerations.

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The US has Iran’s enriched uranium surveilled, and is prepared to take action if it receives intelligence that action is being taken at the site.

While US President Donald Trump's administration has shown a willingness to confront Iran, Netanyahu's remarks also highlight the nuances of international cooperation. The US's surveillance of Iran's nuclear sites, as confirmed by Trump, indicates a shared, albeit perhaps differently prioritized, concern. However, Netanyahu's direct approach to removing uranium contrasts with the more passive surveillance mentioned by Trump, suggesting differing tactical preferences in managing the threat.

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I've said this to President Trump, I've said this to our own people. Their jaws dropped.