At a Glance

• Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed reports that Donald Trump blocked Israeli strikes.

• The Prime Minister vowed “a final blow” against Tehran.

• He said Israel needs a major player on the world stage.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated he rejected rumors that the U.S. President Donald Trump previously blocked strikes on Iran as an “incorrect report”, while simultaneously vowing to deliver a "final blow" to Tehran.

Key Statements and Focus Area

• During an exclusive interview with the Israeli media network Arutz Sheva, Benjamin Netanyahu firmly dismissed a Financial Times report claiming that the U.S. President had blocked Israel from launching a large-scale offensive against Iran earlier this month, declaring the narrative to be completely incorrect and adding, “One day, the truth will come out.”

• “Either we destroy them or they destroy us. That's what the voters have to decide on now,” the Prime Minister emphasized.

Speaking to Arutz Sheva on Thursday, Netanyahu asserted that Iran had intended to manufacture multiple nuclear weapons to “annihilate” Israel.

“We've done it before and we'll do it now and bring the final blow. If we don't do it, you know, it's either us or this thugocracy in Tehran,” he noted.

Netanyahu affirmed that Israel requires a leader who possesses significant global influence, asserting that the nation cannot afford a prime minister "who's not a major player" on the international stage.

“We're not, with no offense, we're not Austria with F-16s. Austria is about our size in terms of population,” he added.

The Prime Minister underlined that “We're in the eye of the hurricane. And we have to be very strong, and very smart, and very experienced.”

Netanyahu asserted that dismantling the Iranian government would serve as a major catalyst for regional peace, creating historic opportunities for additional diplomatic agreements with Arab nations.

“The greatest support I have right now is in certain Arab capitals,” he remarked.

He also stated that “As long as I'm prime minister of Israel, there won't be a Palestinian state. That's a formula for our destruction. So that won't happen.”

FYI

The Financial Times reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had planned a days-long aerial campaign targeting Iranian nuclear sites, power plants, and civilian infrastructure for the weekend of October 10. 

The report alleged the operation was halted because U.S. President Trump opposed renewing hostilities ahead of the November 3 U.S. midterm elections due to concerns over rising energy prices. 

Military sources cited by The Jerusalem Post supported the Prime Minister's denial, stating that no such strike had been scheduled for October 10, meaning the claim of an American block was inherently flawed.

Meanwhile, Iran warned today it will enforce a "zero red lines" policy, threatening to strike critical infrastructure across seven Gulf countries and target U.S. regional bases if attacked. 

Additionally, the IRGC Navy confirmed it targeted commercial shipping in the Persian Gulf, declaring the Strait of Hormuz will remain entirely closed until Washington meets Tehran's conditions.

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