Israel "very close" to defeating Iran, Netanyahu says

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Islamic Republic of Iran is close to defeat during a visit to the summit of Mount Hermon in Syrian territory, where Israeli forces have maintained a presence since the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in late 2024.

Netanyahu was accompanied by Defence Minister Israel Katz and Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Tamir Yadai, The Times of Israel reports.

The prime minister said Israel would not allow a “terrorist army” to establish itself along its border, in an apparent reference to the buffer zone held by Israeli forces in Syria.

“We will not allow any terrorist army to establish itself along our border, and this is one of the greatest achievements we have accomplished in the War of Revival,” Netanyahu said, referring to the term he coined for the multifront conflict that followed the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.

Netanyahu said Israel still had more work to do in the region, identifying Iran as a key priority.

“There is more work to do. The main task is to defeat the terrorist regime in Iran. We are very close to it. We know that the entire axis will ultimately collapse,” Netanyahu said.

“We are committed to doing this, and we will do it,” he added.

Israel and the United States launched a war against Iran in late February, while direct fighting between Israel and Iran largely subsided in April. The United States and Iran have continued to exchange fire, however.

By Vafa Guliyeva