‘Not asking for US green light’: Netanyahu says Israel will hit all nuclear sites in Iran; quiet on eliminating Khamenei

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel will not wait for a US green light to continue its military campaign against Iran and is fully committed to hitting all Iranian nuclear sites — including the heavily fortified Fordo facility. “We will achieve all our objectives and hit all of their nuclear facilities. We have the capability to do that,” Netanyahu declared in a rare Hebrew-language interview with the Kan public broadcaster, underscoring Israel’s determination to act decisively and independently.The comment came hours after US President Donald Trump said he will decide whether to join Israel’s strikes on Iran within the next two weeks as there is still a “substantial” chance of talks to end the conflict. “Based on the fact that there’s a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks,” Trump had said in a statement.Netanyahu emphasised that Israel is proceeding with its campaign regardless of whether the United States decides to join the offensive. “Whether US President Donald Trump wants to join or not — that’s entirely his decision,” he said. “He’ll do what’s good for the United States, and I’ll do what’s good for the State of Israel.” The prime minister stressed that Israel is not asking for permission or a “green light” from any foreign power. “Either way, we’re going to do this, because we have no choice. We will not allow 3,500 years of Jewish history to come to an end because of this deranged ayatollah,” Netanyahu declared, referencing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Netanyahu outlined Israel’s comprehensive strategy to neutralise Iran’s nuclear threat by targeting every nuclear facility, including the underground Fordo site, which is widely considered one of the most secure and difficult to strike. “We have the capability to do that,” he said confidently, signaling Israel’s readiness to deploy advanced military assets to destroy even the most heavily fortified targets.The prime minister reported that Israel is “ahead of schedule” in its campaign, having already destroyed at least half of Iran’s missile launchers and eliminated key military leaders. He highlighted ongoing strikes against paramilitary forces such as the Basij militia, which plays a critical role in suppressing dissent within Iran. Netanyahu also noted that Israel has inflicted “heavy damage” on the regime’s internal security apparatus and will continue to target symbols of the Iranian government.While Israel is prepared to act independently, Netanyahu acknowledged the importance of US support. He revealed that he speaks with President Trump almost daily and described their conversations as “very good.” However, he declined to disclose details, saying, “Let’s not call on the historical archive to release itself just yet.” Netanyahu praised Trump’s recognition of Israel’s right to self-defense, contrasting it with former President Joe Biden’s attempts to restrict Israeli operations against Iranian proxies.On the question of regime change, Netanyahu reiterated that it is ultimately up to the Iranian people. “The issue of regime change or the downfall of this administration primarily concerns the Iranian populace,” he said. Nonetheless, he emphasized that Israel is striking government targets and symbols of the regime and that “there’s more to come.” Netanyahu described Iran’s Supreme Leader as a “deranged ayatollah” threatening the future of the Jewish people and stressed that Israel will do “everything necessary” to neutralize the existential threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.Asked whether Khamenei is a dead man walking, he replied: “I gave instructions that no one is immune. I prefer not to deal with [making] headlines and to let actions speak for themselves.”“During a war words have to be chosen with care, and actions with precision,” he said adding that he expects this “from my ministers as well”, an implied criticism of defense minister Israel Katz, who has been publicly threatening Khamenei.