In a wide‑ranging interview with CBS’s Major Garrett, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the region’s expanding conflict, the prospects for removing Iran’s nuclear material, the fight with Hezbollah in Lebanon and the state of U.S.–Israel relations.
On Iran and its nuclear program, Netanyahu said that while recent operations have “accomplished a great deal,” Iran still retains enriched material, enrichment sites and missile programs that must be eliminated. He argued the most effective option would be to physically remove highly enriched uranium — “you go in and you take it out” — but declined to discuss specific military methods or timetables. He emphasized the technical feasibility of extraction but refused to outline any operational plans on camera.
Netanyahu also described the fight with Iranian proxies as a multi‑front war. He noted that while much attention has focused on the Gulf, Lebanon and Hezbollah represent a separate — and for Israel, more immediate — front. Asked whether a ceasefire with Iran could leave Hezbollah intact, he said he would not accept any arrangement that left Hezbollah’s threat to Israeli communities ongoing. He predicted that if the Iranian regime were substantially weakened or toppled, much of the “scaffolding” supporting groups like Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis would collapse.
When pressed about whether regime change in Tehran was possible, he cautioned that these outcomes cannot be predicted with certainty. Netanyahu denied recent reporting that suggested he guaranteed a U.S.–Israeli joint mission could bring down the Iranian government, saying he and President Trump discussed uncertainty and risk, and that there was never a promise of guaranteed success.
The prime minister defended Israel’s expanded operations in Lebanon, framing them as necessary to stop rockets and to remove the danger to Israeli cities and communities. He acknowledged the risk and costs of war but said Israel would choose the timing and circumstances of future actions and would not allow Hamas or Hezbollah to again threaten Israel.
On China’s role, Netanyahu told the program that Beijing has provided some assistance to Iran, including components relevant to missile manufacturing. He said he was troubled by that assistance but declined to elaborate.
Netanyahu spoke frankly about Israel’s relationship with the United States and American military assistance. He said he has told U.S. leaders he would like Israel to “wean” itself off the annual U.S. military grant — currently about $3.8 billion — and suggested a phased reduction to zero over the next decade, starting immediately rather than waiting for a new U.S. Congress. He framed the idea as part of a broader effort for Israel to assume more of its own defense financing over time.
The prime minister addressed the erosion of U.S. public support since the Gaza war began and blamed the rise of social media for much of the reputational damage. Netanyahu described social platforms as an “eighth front,” where images and narratives spread quickly and can be manipulated. He said Israel has worked hard to protect civilians and has used texts, calls and leaflets to warn people, but conceded the country has not succeeded on the “propaganda front.” When asked whether Israeli mistakes in Gaza or the West Bank had contributed to negative perceptions, he said civilian deaths — even when unintended — are tragic and that in war mistakes happen; Israel must do better in communicating and in limiting harm.
Netanyahu also responded to international legal scrutiny: the International Criminal Court has accused him of war crimes over conduct in Gaza. He reiterated his view that Israel has an obligation to disarm and demilitarize Gaza, and said the international community has not offered a credible alternative to take on that task. If external partners will not do the job, he said, Israel must choose the time and method to prevent future threats.
On broader regional diplomacy, Netanyahu said the conflict had accelerated conversations with some Arab states about deeper cooperation — in energy, technology, AI and other areas — and that several Arab governments see a strategic interest in stronger ties with Israel as a counter to Iran. He acknowledged that before recent hostilities the trajectory of normalization was already underway, and now there are additional, confidential developments he could not fully disclose.
Netanyahu repeatedly declined to discuss operational details or timetables for military action, including questions about whether special forces or U.S. troops would be involved in any effort to remove nuclear material from Iran. He stressed he would not reveal Israeli military plans.
Throughout the interview Netanyahu presented himself as cautious about direct talk of force while making clear he believes the region’s challenges — from Iran’s nuclear program to the presence of Hezbollah and Hamas — require sustained action. He framed the current moment as both dangerous and an opportunity: dangerous because of the spread of hostilities across the region, and an opportunity because shifts in the balance of power may lead to deeper strategic cooperation with some Arab states.
The interview also touched on global politics, including mention of Chinese ties with Iran and a prospective summit between U.S. and Chinese leaders. Netanyahu said he takes seriously any material support Iran receives but would not elaborate.
Netanyahu closed by reflecting on his political image, saying he was long regarded as restrained on military matters but that events changed his calculus when he believed Israel’s existence was threatened. He repeated his determination to prevent future attacks on Israel and to reshape the strategic balance in the region, while also stressing the human cost of war and a preference — whenever possible — for solutions that avoid bloodshed.