Netanyahu said decisions about renewed Iran strikes are up to Trump

It remains “an open question on how the war should end,” the prime minister said.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Netanyahu said Israel and the United States remain prepared to renew military operations against Iran if circumstances require it, while expressing confidence that the Islamic Republic has been significantly weakened by the recent war.

In an interview Wednesday with CNBC, the prime minister said Iran is aware of President Donald Trump’s position that military action could resume if necessary.

Netanyahu said decisions regarding any future escalation ultimately rest with the US president but stressed that both countries are prepared.

“Iran surely knows what [Trump] has said, that if necessary, there will be a full-scale return to military action,” Netanyahu said. “It’s a president’s decision. Israel is ready, and the US forces are ready.”

Asked about the future of the conflict, Netanyahu declined to define a specific end-state, saying it remains “an open question on how the war should end.”

The prime minister also addressed reports of tensions with Trump, acknowledging that the two leaders occasionally differ over tactics while maintaining alignment on broader objectives.

“Sometimes we have, as in the best of families, you have these tactical disagreements,” Netanyahu said. “We always find a way to work them out, and we do so as great friends.”

He added that he speaks with Trump every two days and said the two share common goals.

Netanyahu argued that the Iranian regime has been weakened and pointed to what he described as growing internal vulnerabilities, though he stopped short of predicting when any political change might occur.

“You can’t quite predict when a regime like that goes under,” he said, comparing the situation to historical events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Romania’s communist government.

According to Netanyahu, pressure has created “enormous cracks” within the Islamic Republic that may eventually lead to its downfall.

“In fact, you have enormous cracks right now in Iran, and you can’t predict when it’ll happen,” he said.

Netanyahu reiterated his belief that the Iranian people should ultimately bring about change in their country.

“I think that we have to help the Iranian people to bring down this regime,” he said, while acknowledging that such an outcome may not occur “exactly at the moment of our choosing.”