Netanyahu: Iran Will Never Obtain Nuclear Weapons, With or Without a Deal

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed graduates of the Israeli Air Force flight course on Thursday evening, focusing on the regional security landscape, Israel's campaign against Iran, and the importance of preserving the country's aerial superiority.

At the start of his remarks, Netanyahu said, "The moment I announced that our pilots were striking Iran was one of the most moving moments of my life. You are the generation of victory. Over the past year, the skies of the Middle East have witnessed operations unlike anything before, especially the two successful missions we initiated against Iran. Had we not acted, Iran would have armed itself with nuclear weapons. The Iranian terrorist regime has suffered an extremely severe blow, and our policy is clear: with or without an agreement, Iran will not have nuclear weapons."

He went on to discuss the evolving regional situation, saying, "The war is not over yet. Alongside the old challenges, new ones are emerging. Alliances are rising and alliances are falling. We are closely monitoring these developments and are prepared for every scenario. We must always remain stronger than our enemies."

Netanyahu also appeared to allude to reports of a potential U.S. sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, emphasizing that "preserving Israel's aerial superiority is a cornerstone of our national security and a key to maintaining stability in the Middle East."

Addressing the situation in Lebanon and referring to comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump the previous evening suggesting that Israel would soon withdraw, Netanyahu stated, "We will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary."