Netanyahu Claims Israel Is ‘Crushing’ Iran and Hezbollah Amid Escalating War

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israel and the United States are “crushing” Iran and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah as fighting in the region intensifies.

Netanyahu’s comments came shortly after Iran’s newly installed leader Mojtaba Khamenei delivered his first public statement, vowing retaliation for Iranians killed during the conflict.

“We are crushing Iran and Hezbollah,” Netanyahu said during a televised briefing.

He said Israel now has a third strategic objective in the war, alongside preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons and dismantling its ballistic missile programme.

“I have added a third objective, which is to create, for the Iranian people, the conditions to bring down this regime,” Netanyahu said, referring to Iran’s ruling clerical leadership.

The Israeli leader also issued a warning to Lebanon, urging its government to curb the activities of Hezbollah.

“I told the Lebanese government a few days ago — you are playing with fire if you continue allowing Hezbollah to operate, in violation of your commitment to disarm it,” he said.

“The time has come for you to do so. Now, if you do not do so, it is clear that we will do so.”

Hezbollah said it launched multiple attacks against Israel on Thursday, including one targeting an air defence system near Caesarea, the coastal town where Netanyahu maintains a private residence.

Israel has warned that it may strike Lebanese government infrastructure if Hezbollah’s attacks persist.

Netanyahu also delivered a pointed message to Iran’s new leader: “We eliminated the old tyrant, and the new tyrant, the puppet of the Revolutionary Guards, can’t show his face in public.”

Earlier in the day, Khamenei’s first statement was broadcast on television and read by a presenter.

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