Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed ABC Information on Monday that focusing on Iran’s Supreme Chief Ali Khamenei would finish, not escalate, the continued combat between Israel and Iran that erupted late final week.
When requested by ABC Information Chief Washington Correspondent Jonathan Karl about studies from ABC Information and different shops that President Donald Trump rejected an Israeli plan to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Chief, involved that it could escalate the battle, Netanyahu mentioned, “It is not going to escalate the battle, it’ll finish the battle.”
“We have had half a century of battle unfold by this regime that terrorizes everybody within the Center East; has bombed the Aramco oil fields in Saudi Arabia; is spreading terrorism and subversion and sabotage all over the place,” Netanyahu mentioned. “The ‘endlessly warfare’ is what Iran needs, and so they’re bringing us to the brink of nuclear warfare. In truth, what Israel is doing is stopping this, bringing an finish to this aggression, and we will solely accomplish that by standing as much as the forces of evil.”
Requested if Israel would certainly goal the supreme chief, Netanyahu mentioned that Israel was “doing what we have to do.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with ABC Information, June 16, 2025.
ABC Information
“I am not going to get into the main points, however we have focused their prime nuclear scientists,” Netanyahu mentioned. “It is principally Hitler’s nuclear crew.”
Netanyahu mentioned it in America’s curiosity to help Israel because it seeks to eradicate Iran’s nuclear program.
“At present, it is Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, it is New York. Look, I perceive ‘America First’. I do not perceive ‘America Lifeless’. That is what these individuals need. They chant ‘Demise to America.’ So we’re doing one thing that’s within the service of mankind, of humanity, and it is a battle of fine towards evil. America does, ought to, and does stand with the nice. That is what President Trump is doing, And I deeply recognize his help,” he informed Karl.
Israel’s prime minister additionally dismissed a Wall Road Journal report that Iran has signaled to companions that it’s in search of to finish hostilities and resume negotiations over its nuclear program.
“I am not stunned. I imply, they need to proceed to have these faux talks by which they lie, they cheat, they string the U.S. alongside. And, you understand, we’ve very stable Intel on that,” he mentioned. “They need to carry on constructing their nuclear weapons and constructing their mass ballistic missile arsenal, which they’re firing at our individuals. They need to proceed to create the 2 existential threats towards Israel whereas they’re speaking. That is not going to occur.”
Requested to reply to some Republicans against America’s army help for Israel’s strikes towards Iran, together with commentator Tucker Carlson, Netanyahu mentioned Iran is a “menace to your entire world.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with ABC Information, June 16, 2025.
ABC Information
“We’re not simply combating our enemy. We’re combating your enemy. For God’s sake, they chant, “loss of life to Israel, loss of life to America.” We’re merely on their manner. And this might attain America quickly,” Netanyahu mentioned.
In his Friday e-newsletter, Carlson wrote that “The US shouldn’t at any stage take part in a warfare with Iran. No funding, no American weapons, no troops on the bottom,” and that america ought to let Israel ‘combat their very own wars’.
“We’re taking the motion. America is supporting us in protection. Deeply, deeply appreciated. However this can be a menace to your entire world,” Netanyahu mentioned. “It is a menace to Israel; as I mentioned — to our Arab neighbors; to Europe; to America. They chant ‘Demise to America.’ It is although — ‘This isn’t your online business’? This isn’t myopia. That is utter blindness.”
“Generally it’s a must to take a stand towards evil. And that is what the American individuals instinctively perceive. Most of them, I’ve to say. And that is what President Trump understands. We can not let that occur,” he added.
In an up to date journey advisory on Monday, the State Division seems to have categorized all of Israel and the West Financial institution as “Stage 4: Do Not Journey”—its highest advisory stage.
