Netanyahu says Iran strives for nuclear bomb ‘stockpile’ to destroy Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Iran is seeking to develop a “stockpile” of nuclear bombs aimed at destroying Israel, two days after Israel bombed military targets in the Islamic Republic.

On Saturday, Israel carried out airstrikes on military sites in Iran in response to Tehran’s October 1 attack, itself retaliation for the killing of Iran-backed militant leaders and an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander.

“Iran is striving to develop a stockpile of nuclear bombs to destroy us, equipped with long-range missiles, intercontinental missiles that Iran is trying to develop,” Netanyahu said.

“Iran could threaten the entire world at any point,” Netanyahu added during a speech to lawmakers as Israel’s parliament began its winter session.

“Stopping the Iranian nuclear program is at the forefront of our minds, and for obvious reasons, I cannot share with you all our plans and actions in this regard.”

The Iranian government has long denied that it is trying to build nuclear weapons and insists its program is for peaceful purposes.

In recent years it has decreased its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, while significantly ramping up its nuclear program, including amassing large stockpiles of enriched uranium.

But the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog said last week that Iran was showing “willingness” to re-engage on the nuclear issue.

Tehran, which supports Hamas, warned it would “respond firmly and effectively” to Israel’s strikes at the weekend.

The war in Gaza has drawn in Tehran-backed allies of Palestinian group Hamas, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Netanyahu said Monday that “the fanatical axis of evil led by Iran threatens to destroy our country and threatens to take over other countries.”

It “aspires to take control of our region by force,” he said, adding that Israel is the “real barrier in Iran’s path.”

“Because according to Iran, if Israel falls, many countries will fall along with it. The entire Middle East will fall into its hands.”

The UN Security Council will meet later on Monday at Iran’s request. Tehran has urged the world to condemn Saturday’s strikes, which authorities said killed four soldiers and caused some damage.

Peace with Arabs

Netanyahu also he seeks peace with Arab countries, after a year of war in Gaza and Lebanon which has stoked Arab anger.

He spoke as Washington seeks to rally Arab countries around long-term plans for post-war governance in the Gaza Strip, and further normalization deals with Israel following the 2020 Abraham Accords.

“I aspire to continue the process I went through a few years ago, with the signing of the historic Abraham Accords, in order to achieve peace with other Arab countries,” Netanyahu said.

Israel, under the US-brokered 2020 Abraham Accords, normalized relations with four Arab countries – the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco and Sudan.

Since then, Israel, with US support, has sought to also include other nations, particularly Saudi Arabia. But Riyadh has said it will not recognize Israel without the creation of a Palestinian state.

“I emphasize peace for peace, peace out of strength with important countries in the Middle East,” Netanyahu said.

“These countries and other countries see very well the blows we inflict on those who attack us, the Iranian axis of evil,” he added.

“They are impressed by our determination and courage. Like us, they aspire to a stable, secure, prosperous Middle East.”

The Abraham Accords were reached under the administration of then-president Donald Trump, who is seeking a return to the White House.