Netanyahu: Israeli offensive cripples Iranian infrastructure, GDP falls 2–3%

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a cabinet meeting on March 31 that his country is systematically damaging Iran's national infrastructure, claiming that these actions have reduced Iran's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2–3%, The Jerusalem Post reports.

"We have damaged 70% of their steel production capacity," Netanyahu said, stressing, "With a few dozen weapons, we have reduced their GDP by 2-3%. This is damage worth billions of dollars. The damage to their energy capabilities frightens them greatly and undermines the regime."

He also commented on the Strait of Hormuz tensions, noting that the US can “handle this by force. They can be bypassed by diverting the energy pipelines from Iran to Israel via Saudi Arabia."

Netanyahu added that "the Iran of today is not the Iran of 30 days ago. There is no comparison," and emphasised that the situation that has arisen constitutes "a rare opportunity for a broad regional alliance with Arab and neighbouring countries."

By Jeyhun Aghazada