Prime Minister Netanyahu lauds President Trump for recognizing Iranian nuclear threat, accuses other Western leaders of ignoring Iran despite Hezbollah attacks around the world and growing ballistic missile capabilities.
By World Israel News Staff
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Monday that Iran’s nuclear weapons program and ballistic missile arsenal constitute a threat to much of the Western world, including most of Europe, lamenting that many Western leaders have for years ignored the dangers posed by the Islamic Republic.
In an interview with Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy, Netanyahu argued that Iran’s progress on both nuclear capabilities and delivery systems has been underestimated for years.
He said Tehran’s expanding missile range shows why the threat can no longer be viewed as limited to Israel, warning that much of Europe already falls within reach of Iranian weapons and suggesting that the danger could eventually extend even further.
“This is not just Israel’s problem,” Netanyahu said, noting that Iran now has missiles able to strike up to 2,500 miles away, as evidenced by an Iranian missile attack earlier this month which targeted an American-British military base in Diego Garcia.
“That puts much of Europe within range,” the prime minister continued. “The question is whether the West will wake up.”
“Iran has been pursuing nuclear weapons and delivery systems for years, yet many ignored it.”
Trump, on the other hand, recognized the threat posed by Iran “40 years ago.”
“He recognized the threat decades ago and acted decisively, including leaving the Iran nuclear deal.”
Netanyahu added that through terrorist proxies like Hezbollah, Iran has already carried out attacks around the world.
“They’re bombing every country in sight, including the European countries through their proxy, Hezbollah.”
“What kind of world would we have if they had nuclear weapons? And that’s what President Trump, with my support and our partnership, has set out to prevent.”
While Iran’s conventional military capabilities have been significantly degraded over the past 33 days of fighting, Netanyahu emphasized that Iran’s stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% purity – enough fissile material for roughly 10 atomic bombs – remains unaccounted for.
“They still have a stock of enriched uranium,” Netanyahu said. “And that’s the focus of President Trump’s demand. He says, ‘Take it out. Give it to me.’”