Netanyahu says Iran is renewing nuclear weapons efforts
Speaking at an IDF officer graduation ceremony at Bahad 1 in southern Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Iran of again trying to develop nuclear weapons.
“The Iranian regime still has not learned its lesson. Mojtaba Khamenei decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. He has taken the safety off, and Iran is once again trying to develop its weapons of death,” Netanyahu said.
“Therefore, there is only one way to remove this threat once and for all, to topple the regime in Iran, and that is my directive to the IDF, the Mossad and the security agencies,” he said.
Other English renderings of Netanyahu’s remarks differed in wording. One quoted him as saying: “Iran is once again trying to develop nuclear weapons. Mojtaba Khamenei has decided to follow in his father’s footsteps, and he has pulled the pin.” It also quoted him saying: “There is only one way to eliminate this threat: overthrowing the regime in Iran.”
Another quoted Netanyahu as saying:
“Mojtaba decided to follow in his father’s footsteps. He pulled the trigger, and Iran is once again trying to develop its bombs of death. Therefore, there is only one way to remove this threat once and for all: to overthrow the regime in Iran. And that is my directive to the IDF, Mossad and the security services”.
Katz warns of attacks aimed at influencing elections
Speaking at the same ceremony, Defense Minister Israel Katz said:
“In recent days, we have identified attempts by our enemies, foremost among them Iran and its proxies, to carry out terror attacks that would affect the results of the elections in Israel.”
Another English rendering quoted Katz as saying:
“In recent days, we have identified attempts by our enemies, led by Iran and its proxies, to carry out terrorist attacks that would influence the results of the elections in Israel”.
Katz said that “the Iranian regime is at its weakest point ever, and we identify that this weakness could lead it to take the most extreme measures, including against the State of Israel.”
“Our message to the Iranian regime is clear: We are identifying your attempts, we are prepared to thwart them, and we are ready to strike you with full force,” he said, adding: “If Iran attacks Israel, Iran will burn!”
The warnings come ahead of Israel’s elections next week.
Zamir emphasizes shared responsibility for defending Israel
At the ceremony, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir emphasized shared responsibility for defending Israel, amid military efforts to draft members of the ultra-Orthodox community, who largely do not enlist.
“The mission of defending the State of Israel is shared by all of us and is greater than any disagreement. The IDF is the people’s army, and unity within it is essential to its strength,” Zamir told the graduating officers.
Iranian threats and leadership talks
Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, said:
“Whatever the results of your elections may be, we have no doubt about your hostility. We are ready to wipe you off the map in response to any operational misstep”.
According to IRNA, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf met with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to discuss the ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel, national unity, economic challenges, deterrence and strategic partnerships. Ghalibaf also briefed Khamenei on Parliament’s wartime activities and plans to address the country’s challenges.
The IRGC says it is preparing to unveil a new weapon dubbed the “Father of All Bombs,” without providing details. The announcement comes amid reports that U.S. President Trump is considering using the U.S. “Mother of All Bombs” against Iranian energy infrastructure if fighting resumes.
