Israel and the United States have reaffirmed their commitment to curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and influence in the Middle East.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday following his meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Speaking in Jerusalem, Netanyahu underscored the centrality of Iran in their discussions, stating, “none more important than Iran.”
He emphasised the unity between Israel and the U.S. on this front, declaring, “Israel and America stand shoulder to shoulder in countering the threat of Iran.”
Netanyahu added that both nations agreed “the ayatollahs must not have nuclear weapons” and that Iran’s regional “aggression must be rolled back.”
Rubio echoed these concerns, stating, “Behind every terrorist group, behind every act of violence, behind every destabilising activity, behind everything that threatens peace and stability for the millions of people that call this region home is Iran.”
For decades, Israel and Iran have engaged in a shadow conflict spanning land, sea, air, and cyberspace. Iran maintains that its uranium enrichment programme is for peaceful purposes, while supporting groups across the region that align themselves with the so-called “Axis of Resistance” against Israel and U.S. influence. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Axis of Resistance includes Hamas, the Palestinian group that launched an attack on Israel in October 2023, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi’ite armed groups in Iraq and Syria. While Iran denies direct control over these groups, Israel has continued targeting their leaders, with retaliatory strikes between the two nations increasing over the past 16 months of the Gaza war.
Netanyahu asserted that Israel had dealt a “mighty blow” to Iran since the conflict began and expressed confidence that, with U.S. support, “I have no doubt we can and will finish the job.” He thanked Rubio for backing Israel’s Gaza policy, noting that both nations “shared a common strategy” under U.S. President Donald Trump.
“I want to assure everyone who’s now listening to us, President Trump and I are working in full cooperation and coordination between us,” Netanyahu said. His remarks followed the arrival of a shipment of MK-84 heavy bombs after Trump lifted a hold imposed by the previous Biden administration.
Rubio reinforced the U.S. position on Hamas, stating, “Hamas cannot continue as a military or government force and as long as it stands as a force that can govern or administer or a force that can threaten by use of violence, peace becomes impossible.”
Despite these firm stances, efforts to extend the 42-day ceasefire in Gaza are ongoing, with Trump’s special Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, confirming continued U.S. mediation. Israel’s security cabinet is set to meet on Monday to discuss the matter.
During the ceasefire’s first phase, Hamas agreed to release 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, while Israel pulled back forces from parts of Gaza. So far, 19 Israeli hostages have been freed, along with five Thai hostages in an unscheduled exchange. Public pressure in Israel has mounted, with protesters calling for the ceasefire to continue until all hostages return.
Israel launched its assault on Gaza following Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which killed 1,200 people and led to the abduction of more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Palestinian health officials report that over 48,000 people have been killed in Gaza, with most of the enclave’s 2.3 million residents displaced multiple times.
Trump has drawn backlash from Arab states and U.S. allies with his proposal to “take over Gaza,” relocate its Palestinian inhabitants, and transform the area into an international beach resort. The plan has sparked fears among Palestinians of a repeat of the 1948 “Nakba,” when hundreds of thousands were displaced during Israel’s founding.
Rubio defended Trump’s proposal, stating it offered “not the same tired ideas of the past, but something that is bold … and something that frankly took courage and vision in order to outline.” He acknowledged the shock it caused but argued that the status quo “cannot continue.” Meanwhile, Arab states are working to present an alternative vision for Gaza’s future.
On Syria, Rubio expressed caution, noting the uncertainty following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted by rebels led by Islamist Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda affiliate and leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Sharaa declared himself president for a transitional phase in January, consolidating his power shortly after leading the campaign that toppled Assad.
“While the fall of Assad is certainly promising and important, if Syria is replacing one destabilising force for another, it’s not a positive development,” Rubio said. “This is something we will watch very carefully as we seek to craft our own strategy in regards to how to approach the events in Syria.”
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