- By Vaidika Thapa
- Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:16 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel is making significant progress in its war with Iran. He claimed that Iran’s military capabilities have been severely weakened. Addressing a press conference on Thursday, he outlined Israel’s recent actions, its coordination with the United States, and how he expects the conflict may unfold in the coming weeks.
Netanyahu claimed that Iran has lost its ability to enrich uranium, asserting that Tehran’s military has been “decimated.” He emphasised that Israel’s air campaign has significantly degraded Iran’s missile and drone arsenal, describing the ongoing operations as highly effective in reducing Tehran’s military and strategic capabilities. “What we're destroying now are the factories that produce the components to make these missiles and to make the nuclear weapons that they're trying to produce,” he said. “We are winning, and Iran is being decimated,” Netanyahu added.
Netanyahu Suggests Solution For Hormuz Crisis
The Israeli Prime Minister also argued for long-term strategic changes to global energy routes. He stressed that there is a need to look for alternative routes that bypass maritime choke points like the Strait of Hormuz, which has become a critical point in this conflict. Netanyahu suggested that there should be pipelines going West through the Arabian Peninsula right up to Israel, and Mediterranean ports, instead of passing through the choke points of the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Mandeb.
“What has to be done is to have alternative routes. Instead of going through the choke points of the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Mandeb in order to have the flow of oil, just have oil pipelines, gas pipelines going West through the Arabian Peninsula right up to Israel, and our Mediterranean ports, and you have just done away with the choke points forever. That is definitely possible,” he added.
#WATCH | Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu says, "What has to be done is to have alternative routes. Instead of going through the choke points of the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Mandeb in order to have the flow of oil, just have oil pipelines, gas pipelines going… pic.twitter.com/jbBQwrOFwL
— ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2026
"Can Anyone Tell Trump What To Do?" Netanyahu Says Didn't Push US Into War
He also confirmed that Israel had acted independently in striking Iran’s South Pars gas field, a critical piece of energy infrastructure, that was attacked on Thursday. Netanyahu noted that US President Donald Trump had requested Israel to refrain from further attacks on energy sites. He dismissed claims that Israel dragged the US into the war, stating that no one can dictate Trump. "Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?" He remarked.
Despite the intensity of the conflict, Netanyahu expressed confidence that the war could end sooner than many expect. “I also see this war ending a lot faster than people think,” he said.