Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Wednesday that the nation is “very close” to dismantling Iran’s Islamic Republic, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. During a visit to troops stationed on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, Netanyahu emphasized that while there remains work to be done, the primary goal is to eliminate what he referred to as Iran’s “terror regime.” He further anticipated that Iran’s network of regional allies would ultimately disintegrate.
Accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu visited Israeli forces that have held positions in southern Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The Israeli military now occupies areas that were part of a UN-patrolled buffer zone, which previously separated Israeli and Syrian forces near the Golan Heights. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s stance against allowing what he described as a terrorist army to establish itself along their border.
Since the ousting of Assad, Israel has conducted numerous strikes in Syria and frequently deployed forces into Syrian territory. These actions have been condemned by Damascus as violations of Syria’s sovereignty. However, Israel maintains that its military presence is essential for maintaining a security zone and has expressed a desire for a broader demilitarized area in southern Syria.
Netanyahu’s comments on Iran are set against the backdrop of a larger confrontation between Tehran and Washington, particularly concerning the strategic Strait of Hormuz. This ongoing conflict in the Middle East has seen both sides engage in a series of retaliatory attacks.