PM: Iran ‘Stunned’ by Israeli Strikes, Sees Investment in Proxies ‘Wasted’

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In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised the operation in Lebanon, emphasizing its success. He also revealed that he rejected calls from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to strike Hezbollah immediately following the Hamas attack. Netanyahu further rejected the idea of a permanent truce in Gaza, maintaining his stance on Israel’s security and military strategy.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal published on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that Iran was “dumbfounded” by Israel’s major retaliatory attack on the Islamic Republic in October. Netanyahu emphasized that the intensity of Israel’s response left Iran reeling, and that the country now seeks to avoid further conflict with Israel.

The Israeli leader’s comments followed a series of escalations, during which Israel carried out a significant military strike in retaliation for actions linked to Iran. Netanyahu indicated that the attack sent a clear message to Tehran, reinforcing Israel’s resolve and ability to defend itself against any threats emanating from the Islamic Republic or its proxies in the region.

Further elaborating on Iran’s reaction, Netanyahu suggested that Tehran now views the risks of engaging in direct confrontation with Israel as too high, particularly after the scale of Israel’s recent actions demonstrated its military capabilities and readiness.

The interview also touched on Israel’s broader security strategy in the Middle East, with Netanyahu making it clear that Israel would continue to take decisive action when necessary to protect its interests and prevent hostile entities from gaining power in the region.

In his interview with The Wall Street Journal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed that Iran was “dumbfounded” by Israel’s strategic move to target and destroy Iran’s critical air defenses. Netanyahu explained that this strike has left Iran in a difficult position, forcing the country to reconsider its military options. He stated, “They now have to calculate how much ammo they have, because it’ll take them several years to resuscitate their ballistic-missile production effort—assuming we don’t hit it again.”

This comment underscores the strategic blow Israel dealt to Iran’s military infrastructure, which has long been a key part of Tehran’s defense and deterrence strategy. Netanyahu’s remark further emphasized Israel’s commitment to preventing the development and deployment of Iranian ballistic missiles, signaling that Israel is prepared to take additional actions if necessary to maintain its security and regional stability.

COURTESY: The Sun

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed the October retaliatory Israeli airstrikes on Iran in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, noting that Iran was “dumbfounded” by the attack, which targeted critical air defenses and ballistic missile production facilities. The strikes severely impacted Iran’s military capabilities, and Netanyahu pointed out that it would take years for Iran to rebuild its ballistic missile program, assuming Israel does not strike again. This move came after Iran launched around 200 ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for the deaths of key figures, including Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Despite the missile attack, Israel’s air defenses intercepted most of the projectiles, and the IDF reported that operations were not significantly affected.

Israel’s counterattack in October focused on Iran’s air defenses and ballistic missile program, but notably did not target the country’s nuclear facilities, except for a single research center. Netanyahu clarified that while the strikes were significant in weakening Iran’s military capabilities, they were not aimed at escalating the situation further by targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. The strike on the research facility, which was reportedly involved in Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, was a key component of Israel’s strategy, but broader nuclear sites were left untouched.

When questioned about Iran’s ongoing efforts to enrich uranium and its alleged pursuit of a nuclear bomb, Prime Minister Netanyahu was cautious in his response. He refrained from directly addressing the issue of a potential Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. “I’m not going to talk about that,” Netanyahu stated, before adding, “I’ve always said the jury’s out, still out on all of us [on the Iranian nuclear issue], and I don’t exclude myself.” His remarks suggest that Israel is keeping its options open while closely monitoring Iran’s nuclear advancements.

Iran’s money ‘down the tubes’

Meanwhile, Netanyahu highlighted that Israel had inflicted significant damage on Iran’s operations surrounding the country as part of its engagements with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. These actions, he emphasized, were aimed at disrupting Iran’s regional influence and proxy activities in areas near Israel.

“We knocked down Hezbollah, which was supposed to protect Iran. And Iran didn’t protect Hezbollah either. And neither of them protected [Syria’s Bashar al-] Assad,” Netanyahu said, emphasizing the cascading impact of Israel’s actions on Iran and its regional allies.

“So, we just split that whole axis right down the middle,” Netanyahu said. He highlighted the significant financial losses Iran had incurred, stating, “Iran spent probably $30 billion in Syria, another $20 billion in Lebanon, God knows how much on Hamas. And it’s all gone down the tubes.”

Prime Minister Netanyahu stated, “The Iranians now have no supply line,” emphasizing the disruption of Iran’s regional influence. He added, “We warned Assad not to let Iran supply Hezbollah with weapons through Syria. He played dumb.”

The Syrian dictator, Bashar al-Assad, was overthrown earlier this month in a swift offensive led by Islamist rebels. This development has been partly attributed to the diminished strength of his ally Hezbollah, following its recent war with Israel.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, discussing the decision to target Hassan Nasrallah in a significant September airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs, explained the rationale behind eliminating the long-time Hezbollah leader. Netanyahu remarked, “I realized at the time that Nasrallah was the axis of the axis. It’s not only that Iran was using him; he was using Iran.”

Hezbollah escalated its attacks on Israel last year, beginning the day after its ally Hamas initiated a devastating cross-border assault from the Gaza Strip on October 7. That attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages, primarily civilians.

Prime Minister Netanyahu revealed that in the aftermath of Hamas’s October 7 attack, then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and some military chiefs advocated for striking Hezbollah first. They argued that the heavily armed group in Lebanon posed a more significant threat to Israel. However, Netanyahu rejected this approach, insisting that the perpetrators of the initial assault, Hamas, “couldn’t be left to stew.” He emphasized that Israel could not afford to fight a war on two fronts simultaneously.

References

  1. ^ Recognition by other UN member states: Russia (West Jerusalem),[1] the Czech Republic (West Jerusalem),[2] Honduras,[3] Guatemala,[4] Nauru,[5] and the United States.[6]
  2. ^ Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city if including East Jerusalem, which is widely recognized as occupied territory.[7] If East Jerusalem is not counted, the largest city would be Tel Aviv.
  3. ^ Arabic has a “special status” as set by the Basic Law of 2018, which allows it to be used by official institutions.[9][10] Prior to that law’s passage, Arabic had been an official language alongside Hebrew.[11]
  4. ^ Jump up to:a b Israeli population and economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[352][353]
  5. ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.[48]
  1. ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
  2. ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
  3. ^ Brief occupation in 1956. Second Israeli occupation from 1967 until 1982, but Israel retained control of Taba until 1989.
  4. References
  5. Notes
  6. ^ Recognition by other UN member states: Russia (West Jerusalem),[1] the Czech Republic (West Jerusalem),[2] Honduras,[3] Guatemala,[4] Nauru,[5] and the United States.[6]
  7. ^ Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city if including East Jerusalem, which is widely recognized as occupied territory.[7] If East Jerusalem is not counted, the largest city would be Tel Aviv.
  8. ^ Arabic has a “special status” as set by the Basic Law of 2018, which allows it to be used by official institutions.[9][10] Prior to that law’s passage, Arabic had been an official language alongside Hebrew.[11]
  9. ^ Jump up to:a b Israeli population and economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[352][353]
  10. ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.[48]
  11. ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
  12. ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
  13. ^ Brief occupation in 1956. Second Israeli occupation from 1967 until 1982, but Israel retained control of Taba until 1989.
  14. References
  15. Notes
  16. ^ Recognition by other UN member states: Russia (West Jerusalem),[1] the Czech Republic (West Jerusalem),[2] Honduras,[3] Guatemala,[4] Nauru,[5] and the United States.[6]
  17. ^ Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city if including East Jerusalem, which is widely recognized as occupied territory.[7] If East Jerusalem is not counted, the largest city would be Tel Aviv.
  18. ^ Arabic has a “special status” as set by the Basic Law of 2018, which allows it to be used by official institutions.[9][10] Prior to that law’s passage, Arabic had been an official language alongside Hebrew.[11]
  19. ^ Jump up to:a b Israeli population and economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[352][353]
  20. ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.[48]
  21. ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
  22. ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
  23. ^ Brief occupation in 1956. Second Israeli occupation from 1967 until 1982, but Israel retained control of Taba until 1989.
  24. References
  25. Notes
  26. ^ Recognition by other UN member states: Russia (West Jerusalem),[1] the Czech Republic (West Jerusalem),[2] Honduras,[3] Guatemala,[4] Nauru,[5] and the United States.[6]
  27. ^ Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city if including East Jerusalem, which is widely recognized as occupied territory.[7] If East Jerusalem is not counted, the largest city would be Tel Aviv.
  28. ^ Arabic has a “special status” as set by the Basic Law of 2018, which allows it to be used by official institutions.[9][10] Prior to that law’s passage, Arabic had been an official language alongside Hebrew.[11]
  29. ^ Jump up to:a b Israeli population and economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[352][353]
  30. ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.[48]
  31. ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
  32. ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
  33. ^ Brief occupation in 1956. Second Israeli occupation from 1967 until 1982, but Israel retained control of Taba until 1989.
  34. References
  35. Notes
  36. ^ Recognition by other UN member states: Russia (West Jerusalem),[1] the Czech Republic (West Jerusalem),[2] Honduras,[3] Guatemala,[4] Nauru,[5] and the United States.[6]
  37. ^ Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city if including East Jerusalem, which is widely recognized as occupied territory.[7] If East Jerusalem is not counted, the largest city would be Tel Aviv.
  38. ^ Arabic has a “special status” as set by the Basic Law of 2018, which allows it to be used by official institutions.[9][10] Prior to that law’s passage, Arabic had been an official language alongside Hebrew.[11]
  39. ^ Jump up to:a b Israeli population and economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[352][353]
  40. ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.[48]
  41. ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
  42. ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
  43. ^ Brief occupation in 1956. Second Israeli occupation from 1967 until 1982, but Israel retained control of Taba until 1989.
  44. References
  45. Notes
  46. ^ Recognition by other UN member states: Russia (West Jerusalem),[1] the Czech Republic (West Jerusalem),[2] Honduras,[3] Guatemala,[4] Nauru,[5] and the United States.[6]
  47. ^ Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city if including East Jerusalem, which is widely recognized as occupied territory.[7] If East Jerusalem is not counted, the largest city would be Tel Aviv.
  48. ^ Arabic has a “special status” as set by the Basic Law of 2018, which allows it to be used by official institutions.[9][10] Prior to that law’s passage, Arabic had been an official language alongside Hebrew.[11]
  49. ^ Jump up to:a b Israeli population and economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[352][353]
  50. ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.[48]
  51. ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
  52. ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
  53. ^ Brief occupation in 1956. Second Israeli occupation from 1967 until 1982, but Israel retained control of Taba until 1989.
  54. References
  55. Notes
  56. ^ Recognition by other UN member states: Russia (West Jerusalem),[1] the Czech Republic (West Jerusalem),[2] Honduras,[3] Guatemala,[4] Nauru,[5] and the United States.[6]
  57. ^ Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city if including East Jerusalem, which is widely recognized as occupied territory.[7] If East Jerusalem is not counted, the largest city would be Tel Aviv.
  58. ^ Arabic has a “special status” as set by the Basic Law of 2018, which allows it to be used by official institutions.[9][10] Prior to that law’s passage, Arabic had been an official language alongside Hebrew.[11]
  59. ^ Jump up to:a b Israeli population and economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[352][353]
  60. ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.[48]
  61. ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
  62. ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
  63. ^ Brief occupation in 1956. Second Israeli occupation from 1967 until 1982, but Israel retained control of Taba until 1989.
  64. References
  65. Notes
  66. ^ Recognition by other UN member states: Russia (West Jerusalem),[1] the Czech Republic (West Jerusalem),[2] Honduras,[3] Guatemala,[4] Nauru,[5] and the United States.[6]
  67. ^ Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city if including East Jerusalem, which is widely recognized as occupied territory.[7] If East Jerusalem is not counted, the largest city would be Tel Aviv.
  68. ^ Arabic has a “special status” as set by the Basic Law of 2018, which allows it to be used by official institutions.[9][10] Prior to that law’s passage, Arabic had been an official language alongside Hebrew.[11]
  69. ^ Jump up to:a b Israeli population and economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[352][353]
  70. ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.[48]
  71. ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
  72. ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
  73. ^ Brief occupation in 1956. Second Israeli occupation from 1967 until 1982, but Israel retained control of Taba until 1989.
  74. References
  75. Notes
  76. ^ Recognition by other UN member states: Russia (West Jerusalem),[1] the Czech Republic (West Jerusalem),[2] Honduras,[3] Guatemala,[4] Nauru,[5] and the United States.[6]
  77. ^ Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city if including East Jerusalem, which is widely recognized as occupied territory.[7] If East Jerusalem is not counted, the largest city would be Tel Aviv.
  78. ^ Arabic has a “special status” as set by the Basic Law of 2018, which allows it to be used by official institutions.[9][10] Prior to that law’s passage, Arabic had been an official language alongside Hebrew.[11]
  79. ^ Jump up to:a b Israeli population and economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[352][353]
  80. ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.[48]
  81. ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
  82. ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
  83. ^ Brief occupation in 1956. Second Israeli occupation from 1967 until 1982, but Israel retained control of Taba until 1989.
  84. References
  85. Notes
  86. ^ Recognition by other UN member states: Russia (West Jerusalem),[1] the Czech Republic (West Jerusalem),[2] Honduras,[3] Guatemala,[4] Nauru,[5] and the United States.[6]
  87. ^ Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city if including East Jerusalem, which is widely recognized as occupied territory.[7] If East Jerusalem is not counted, the largest city would be Tel Aviv.
  88. ^ Arabic has a “special status” as set by the Basic Law of 2018, which allows it to be used by official institutions.[9][10] Prior to that law’s passage, Arabic had been an official language alongside Hebrew.[11]
  89. ^ Jump up to:a b Israeli population and economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[352][353]
  90. ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.[48]
  91. ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
  92. ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
  93. ^ Brief occupation in 1956. Second Israeli occupation from 1967 until 1982, but Israel retained control of Taba until 1989.
  94. References
  95. Notes
  96. ^ Recognition by other UN member states: Russia (West Jerusalem),[1] the Czech Republic (West Jerusalem),[2] Honduras,[3] Guatemala,[4] Nauru,[5] and the United States.[6]
  97. ^ Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city if including East Jerusalem, which is widely recognized as occupied territory.[7] If East Jerusalem is not counted, the largest city would be Tel Aviv.
  98. ^ Arabic has a “special status” as set by the Basic Law of 2018, which allows it to be used by official institutions.[9][10] Prior to that law’s passage, Arabic had been an official language alongside Hebrew.[11]
  99. ^ Jump up to:a b Israeli population and economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[352][353]
  100. ^ The personal name “Israel” appears much earlier, in material from Ebla.[48]
  101. ^ /ˈɪzri.əl, -reɪ-/; Hebrew: יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Yīsrāʾēl [jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: ʾIsrāʾīl
  102. ^ Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, romanized: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl [mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, romanized: Dawlat Isrāʾīl
  103. ^ Brief occupation in 1956. Second Israeli occupation from 1967 until 1982, but Israel retained control of Taba until 1989.


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