July 26, 2026, 6:44 p.mJuly 26, 2026, 6:44 p.m
Benjamin Netanyahu giving a speech in mid-July.Image: keystone
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees Iran’s nuclear program set back by years. A large part of the facilities were destroyed, he told the US broadcaster Fox News. “That doesn’t mean they can’t try to rebuild, but we’ve set them back several years.” In addition, 20 Iranian nuclear scientists were eliminated in joint attacks with the USA.
In June 2025, Israel waged war against Iran for twelve days and bombed central nuclear facilities with the USA. Afterwards, Netanyahu initially spoke of destroying the nuclear program. A little later, as is currently the case, there was talk that Tehran’s nuclear program had been set back by years. On February 28, the Iran War began with renewed joint attacks. The conflict recently escalated again after an interim ceasefire.
Netanyahu meets Trump
Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington on Tuesday. On that day, a memorial service for the late Senator Lindsey Graham will also be held in the US capital, which Netanyahu also wants to attend. In his second term, Trump met with Netanyahu several times. In recent months, the media has speculated whether the relationship between the two men may have deteriorated because Trump publicly rebuffed him several times during the war.
Netanyahu told Fox News that when he met Trump he wanted to hear what the US president was planning to do in the Iran context. In many ways, the decision is his, added Netanyahu, who called Trump a “good friend.” At the same time, he issued a warning to Iran. If the country were to attack Israel directly or through proxies, it would be a “serious mistake.” Israel’s response would be very powerful. (sda/dpa)