Iran Still Possesses '400 Kilograms of Uranium,' Says Israel's PM

nERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has declared that Israel’s recent strike against Iran's nuclear program was a historic operation that would have proceeded even without support from the United States, neutralizing what he described as two existential threats to his country.

In an exclusive interview with i24NEWS, the Prime Minister stated that the decision to act against Tehran's atomic ambitions and its ballistic missile arsenal was unequivocal from the outset. "With or without approval, we’re doing it,” Mr. Netanyahu said, noting that while he ultimately secured cooperation from U.S. President Donald Trump, the core decision was independent.

"Fortunately, we have a very sympathetic president… but the decision was made to proceed regardless, because it is in our soul," he told i24NEWS.

According to the report, Mr. Netanyahu claimed the action successfully set back Iran’s nuclear program by "a good few years."

However, he acknowledged that the country still possesses 400 kilograms of enriched uranium. "We knew in advance it wouldn’t be destroyed," he said, adding that while the material is a necessary component for nuclear weapons, it is not sufficient on its own.

"They’re not currently in a position to advance," he assessed.

The Israeli Prime Minister framed the strike as part of a much broader strategic campaign which, he said, also included the elimination of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, and the Sinwar brothers. 

"We defeated Iran, which came to destroy Israel with an atomic bomb, we eliminated two enormous existential dangers," he stated in the interview.

Addressing the ongoing war in Gaza, Mr. Netanyahu dismissed reports of his government "dragging feet," insisting that the cabinet overwhelmingly supported his push to shorten operational timetables for a decisive victory.

He reaffirmed that the primary goal remains to end the war, defeat Israel's enemies, and secure the release of all hostages, both living and deceased, as part of a single, final agreement. "I’m not going back to partial agreements," he told i24NEWS. "They misled us. I want them all."

The Prime Minister also commented on internal tensions with Israel's military leadership, describing debates as "legitimate and necessary" but emphasizing that once decisions are made, they are executed.

He accused former officials and critics from the "Kaplan movement" of disseminating damaging misinformation and revealed, according to i24NEWS, that some military leaders had opposed key operations, including the ground incursion into Rafah, the pager operation against Hezbollah, and the assassination of Nasrallah.

Furthermore, Mr. Netanyahu argued in favor of allowing civilians to leave the Gaza Strip, drawing parallels to population movements during conflicts in Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan, and stated that Israel is in discussions with other countries to potentially receive them.

Praising President Trump for strengthening ties during his term, he contrasted this with the Biden administration, suggesting Washington’s pressure could have halted major operations if he had yielded to it.

The Israeli Prime Minister concluded his remarks to i24NEWS with an urgent call to end the war swiftly to stop the "daily diplomatic damage" from international criticism, stating, "We need to go for a decision."