Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its regional aggression in a meeting on February 16, 2025. They emphasized the need to prevent the Ayatollahs from acquiring nuclear weapons and to roll back Iran’s influence in the region. Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s military successes in countering Iranian threats, expressing confidence in achieving their goals with U.S. support.
On February 16, 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed the shared commitment of Israel and the United States to counter Iran’s nuclear aspirations and regional aggression. This statement followed a productive meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem, where the two leaders discussed pressing concerns regarding Iran’s influence in Middle Eastern affairs.
Netanyahu emphasized the importance of preventing the Ayatollahs from acquiring nuclear weapons and rolling back Iran’s aggressive activities in the region. He asserted, “Israel and America stand shoulder to shoulder in countering the threat of Iran.” Secretary Rubio underlined Iran’s role in destabilizing the region, stating that it is behind various terrorist groups and violent actions threatening regional peace.
Highlighting Israel’s military efforts, Netanyahu claimed that the nation had inflicted significant damage on Iran over the past 16 months amid the conflict in Gaza. He expressed confidence that, with continued U.S. support under President Trump, Israel could ultimately “finish the job” against Iran. Netanyahu also mentioned Israel’s successes in weakening Hezbollah and targeting Iranian assets in Syria.
In addressing the continued threat from hostile forces, he stated, “If any other force believes that Israel will permit other hostile forces to use Syria as a base of operations against us, they are gravely mistaken.” Netanyahu thanked Mr. Rubio for his support regarding Israel’s current strategies in Gaza, where a fragile ceasefire has been observed after extensive conflict.
Rubio echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the continued existence of Hamas as a governing body is incompatible with peace in the region, asserting that as long as Hamas poses a military threat, stability cannot be achieved. He affirmed the close cooperation between President Trump and Netanyahu in addressing these complex issues.
In conclusion, the meeting between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Secretary of State Rubio highlighted the strategic alignment between Israel and the United States in addressing the threat posed by Iran. With a focus on halting Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional aggression, both leaders expressed their commitment to achieving lasting peace through coordinated military actions. Netanyahu’s confidence in finishing the job against Iran rests on the backing received from the U.S.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
