Arabic version: نتنياهو يعلن أن إسرائيل أقوى بعد الصراع الأخير مع إيران

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that Israel is “becoming stronger than ever” during a news conference on March 12, 2026. This statement follows nearly two weeks of military operations against Iran, which he claimed have significantly weakened the Iranian military. According to Al Jazeera, Netanyahu highlighted that Israeli attacks had resulted in the deaths of top Iranian nuclear scientists and inflicted severe damage on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces.

Netanyahu described the current state of Iran as fundamentally altered, asserting that the military actions initiated on February 28 have hindered Iran’s ability to advance its nuclear and ballistic projects. When questioned about Iran’s newly-elected supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, Netanyahu dismissed any concerns regarding Khamenei’s stability, labeling him a “puppet of the Revolutionary Guards” who could not appear in public after a statement was read on state TV.

In his remarks, Netanyahu also addressed the Iranian populace, expressing support for those protesting against their government. He stated, “We are standing by your side,” while emphasizing that the ultimate decision for change lies with the Iranian people. This sentiment mirrored previous calls from U.S. President Donald Trump for Iranians to rise against their leadership.

Additionally, Netanyahu noted that the ongoing war with Iran has facilitated Israel’s ability to establish new alliances in the region, a feat he claimed was previously unattainable. The conflict has prompted Iran to conduct drone and missile attacks on Gulf countries, raising security concerns among its neighbors. The United Nations Security Council recently condemned these Iranian actions, demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities.