Netanyahu Claims Strategic Gains in Iran Operations, Signals Strong US-Israel Coordination Under Trump

Prime Minister of Israel , Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that Israel’s ongoing military operations against Iran are yielding decisive results, while emphasizing close coordination with the United States under Donald Trump. “I am alive and you are all witnesses,” Netanyahu said, framing the campaign—referred to as “Operation Rising Lion”—as a decisive effort to eliminate what he described as existential threats posed by Iran’s leadership. He accused the Iranian regime of waging decades-long hostility against both Israel and the United States. Outlining Israel’s objectives, Netanyahu said the mission focuses on three key goals: dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, neutralizing its ballistic missile program, and creating conditions for political change within Iran. He stressed urgency in preventing these capabilities from being moved deep underground, beyond the reach of aerial strikes.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this evening, to the Foreign Press:

“First of all, I just want to say I'm alive, and you're all witnesses.
Now that I dispatched this piece of fake news, I want to give you an update on Operation Roaring Lion. pic.twitter.com/VJnWRkXQul

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 19, 2026

Netanyahu claimed significant operational success, stating that Iran’s missile and drone arsenal has been “massively degraded,” while key military infrastructure—including air defenses and naval assets—has been severely damaged. “We are winning and Iran is being decimated,” he said, adding that further action is planned. He also pointed to evolving geopolitical and economic dimensions of the conflict, proposing alternative energy routes that would bypass critical maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. According to Netanyahu, developing pipeline networks through the Arabian Peninsula to Mediterranean ports could permanently reshape global energy flows. On military coordination, Netanyahu noted that Israel had acted independently in certain operations, including a strike on the Asaluyeh gas complex, while also confirming that Washington had requested a pause on further attacks—an appeal Israel is currently honoring. He suggested that internal pressures are mounting within Iran, saying there are “many signs” the regime is weakening. Highlighting his alignment with Trump, Netanyahu said there was no need to persuade the US leader on the urgency of countering Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “Our partnership is the only way to avoid this catastrophic development,” he added. Netanyahu further indicated that efforts are underway to secure maritime routes, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, expressing confidence that reopening it would help stabilize global oil markets. He also suggested that the conflict may conclude “faster than people think.” The remarks come amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with global attention focused on the risk of broader escalation and its implications for energy security and regional stability.