US could have brought down Tehran, but chose not to, Culture and Sports Minister claims

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar asserted that the United States deliberately opted against intervening militarily in Iran, thereby enabling the current regime's continued existence. "Had they wanted the regime to fall, it would have fallen," Zohar stated, placing the responsibility for Tehran's survival squarely on Washington's decision not to deploy troops.

“

The US decided not to send its soldiers into Iranian territory to topple the current regime. Had they wanted the regime to fall, it would have fallen.

Zohar lauded Israel's conduct of the ongoing conflict, describing its management as "close to perfect." He emphasized the significant damage inflicted upon Iran, claiming, "We set Iran back by decades; their entire leadership is gone." This assessment comes as other coalition ministers voice strong criticism of the emerging U.S.-Iran agreement.

“

Until this moment, the management of the war has been close to perfect. We set Iran back by decades; their entire leadership is gone.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declared that any agreement reached between the U.S. and Iran would not obligate Israel, underscoring the nation's status as a sovereign state. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich echoed this sentiment, labeling the potential deal "bad for Israel and the entire free world" and stating Israel would need to pursue its campaign against the Iranian regime independently. Energy Minister Eli Cohen affirmed Israel's freedom to act militarily in Lebanon and Iran, with or without U.S. cooperation, to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

“

Trump’s agreement “does not bind us,” adding that Israel is a sovereign state and “not a banana republic.”