Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday defended the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, describing it as a necessary step to safeguard not just Israel and the United States, but the wider world.
Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu characterised the operation — dubbed “Operation Epic Fury” or “Roaring Lion” — as a defensive measure against what he called “theological thuggery.”
"Iran for 47 years has been chanting death to America," said Netanyahu. "They bombed your embassies. They tried to assassinate Donald Trump, the President of the United States, twice. They murdered their own people, they massacred so many. And they spread a worldwide web of terror." "This is a regime committed to destroying the United States of America."
“It’s not a terrible thing to protect humanity, to protect America, to protect Israel, to protect the free world,” he said, accusing Iran’s leadership of exporting violence and instability.
In sharply worded remarks, Netanyahu alleged that Iran had for decades targeted Americans and spread global terror. He accused Tehran of attacking US embassies, harming thousands of Americans, repressing its own citizens, and attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump.
“The reason that we had to act now is because they were. After we hit their nuclear sites and their ballistic missile program, you’d think they learned a lesson, but they didn’t because they’re unreformable. They’re totally fanatical about this—about the goal of destroying America. So they started building new sites, new places, underground bunkers that would make their ballistic missile program and their atomic bomb program immune within months. If no action was taken now, no action could be taken in the future. And then they could target America. They could blackmail America. They could threaten us and threaten everyone in between. So action had to be taken. And you needed a resolute president like Donald J. Trump to take that action.”'
Praising Trump’s leadership, Netanyahu described him as uniquely decisive and clear-headed. “There’s never been a President like Donald J. Trump,” he said, commending his approach to what he called decisive action in confronting Iran.
“Amazing things happen when we work together. This would not have happened without the leadership of President Trump. I met Trump at Mar-a-Lago just before he was re-elected. The first thing he told me was that we must prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He said this because he saw it as a clear threat to the security of the United States," he added.
Netanyahu insisted the military campaign would not become protracted. “This is not an endless war, this is a gateway to peace,” he said, adding that the risks posed by Iran required immediate action.
US officials echo supportUS vice-president JD Vance said Tuesday that Trump authorised the strikes to protect America’s national security and to ensure Iran would never obtain a nuclear weapon.
In a video address to US forces, defence secretary Pete Hegseth described the moment as a “generational turning point” and reiterated the administration’s message of “peace through strength.”
Meanwhile, Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Danny Danon, met US First Lady Melania Trump ahead of a UN Security Council session, emphasising that the US-Israel alliance remains firm.
Trump also took to his social media platform, Truth Social, criticising domestic political opponents over their response to the strikes.
Escalating regional conflictThe latest escalation follows a major military offensive launched on Saturday, when US and Israeli forces carried out coordinated air and missile strikes across Iran, targeting military installations, nuclear-linked facilities and leadership compounds.
Iran responded with ballistic missile and drone attacks on US assets and regional allies, including Israel, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, significantly widening the conflict.
As hostilities continue across West Asia, world leaders and international organisations are urging restraint amid fears of a broader regional war, though fighting shows no immediate signs of abating.