Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Tuesday that his country's military campaign against Iran will continue, rejecting diplomatic overtures from Tehran as Israel maintains its offensive across the Middle East.
The campaign is not over. We will continue to crush the terror regime.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister — NDTV
Netanyahu's televised statement came hours after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian indicated his country possessed the necessary will to end hostilities with Israel and the United States, while seeking assurances that such conflicts would not recur.
The Israeli leader delivered his remarks on the eve of Passover, framing the ongoing military operations as transformative for regional power dynamics. He asserted that Israel had emerged as a dominant regional force despite the costs of sustained warfare.
We have remained steadfast in our mission and we have changed the face of the Middle East.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister — Straits Times
The conflict escalated dramatically when Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump launched coordinated strikes on February 28, resulting in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and triggering retaliatory attacks across the region.
According to Israeli accounts, the military campaign has targeted Iran's nuclear infrastructure, missile capabilities, and key leadership figures. Netanyahu claimed Israeli forces had inflicted what he termed "ten plagues" on Iran and its regional allies, referencing the Jewish holiday.
The humanitarian toll has been severe. Iran's Red Crescent reported over 113,000 homes and businesses damaged, along with 307 health centers and 760 schools affected. Independent organizations estimate thousands of civilian and military casualties, though Tehran has not released updated figures since early March.
Lebanese casualties have exceeded 1,200 deaths, including more than 100 children, as Israeli bombardments target Hezbollah positions and infrastructure. Recent strikes on ambulances and hospitals have further escalated the death toll.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Netanyahu's rhetoric, suggesting the prime minister's claims of regional transformation were premature. The criticism reflects growing domestic debate over the war's trajectory and objectives.
Netanyahu emphasized that Iran had invested nearly a trillion dollars in efforts to destroy Israel, resources he claimed had failed to achieve their intended purpose. He predicted the Iranian regime would collapse sooner rather than later under sustained pressure.
The Israeli leader outlined plans to establish new security zones in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, including the destruction of Lebanese border villages to prevent displaced residents from returning. These measures aim to prevent future threats from reconstituting.