Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem, March 19, 2026. (Shalev Shalom/POOL)
Netanyahu said Israel has delivered “10 plagues,” invoking a reference to the upcoming holiday of Passover.
By Vered Weiss, World Israel News
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has significantly degraded Iran’s military investments and regional network of armed groups, describing a shift in the balance of power as the conflict continues.
In a video statement Tuesday evening, Netanyahu said Iran’s “trillion-dollar” investment in ballistic missiles, nuclear enrichment, and support for armed proxies “has gone down the drain,” citing Israeli operations targeting both the Islamic Republic and allied groups across the region.
He said Israel has struck what he described as Iran’s “axis,” including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and others in the West Bank, as well as the ousted Assad regime in Syria.
Netanyahu added that Israel has also delivered five direct blows to Iran, targeting its nuclear program, ballistic missile systems, regime infrastructure, internal security forces, and senior leadership.
Netanyahu characterized the campaign as a broader strategic shift.
He said there has been “a strategic turnaround” in the confrontation, stating that Iran had sought to strangle Israel but is now being constrained by Israeli actions. He said the Iranian regime is weaker than before and that Israel’s position has strengthened.
Referring to the scope of Israeli operations, Netanyahu said Israel has delivered “ten plagues,” invoking a reference to the upcoming holiday of Passover, which begins tomorrow evening. He said the campaign is ongoing, while outlining what he described as key achievements to date.
Netanyahu also referenced coordination and messaging in the context of the war’s trajectory, speaking as discussions continue over potential next steps involving the United States.
He noted that he had previously raised concerns about Iran with “presidents in the US,” and suggested that not all leaders had fully internalized the threat posed by Tehran.
He said the fighting is continuing and indicated that Israel remains focused on further weakening Iran and its regional allies as operations proceed.
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