Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. File
| Picture Credit score: Reuters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned on Thursday (March 12, 2026) the joint U.S.-Israeli marketing campaign was “crushing” Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah and referred to as for Iranians to stand up and overthrow the Islamic republic.
Mr. Netanyahu spoke quickly after the brand new Iranian supreme chief Mojtaba Khamenei’s first assertion, wherein he vowed to avenge the Iranians killed within the warfare to date. “We’re crushing Iran and Hezbollah,” Mr. Netanyahu mentioned in a televised media briefing.
Iran-Israel warfare LIVE
In wide-ranging feedback on the warfare, Mr. Netanyahu mentioned he was searching for to make use of the battle to oust the clerical management in Tehran.
“I’ve added a 3rd goal, which is to create, for the Iranian folks, the circumstances to convey down this regime,” Mr. Netanyahu mentioned.
The opposite two targets remained stopping Iran from growing nuclear weapons and destroying its ballistic missile capabilities, he mentioned.
The Israeli chief used his remarks to demand that Beirut rein in Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which has joined Iran in launching missile strikes on Israel. “I informed the Lebanese authorities a couple of days in the past — you’re enjoying with hearth when you proceed permitting Hezbollah to function, in violation of your dedication to disarm it,” he mentioned.
“The time has come for you to take action. Now, if you don’t accomplish that, it’s clear that we are going to accomplish that,” he continued.
Hezbollah on Thursday (March 12, 2026) mentioned it carried out numerous assaults in opposition to Israel, together with on an air defence system close to the city of Caesarea, residence to Mr. Netanyahu’s personal residence.
Israel has threatened to focus on Lebanese authorities infrastructure if the assaults by Hezbollah persist.
Mr. Netanyahu had a private message for Iran’s new chief, saying: “We eradicated the previous tyrant, and the brand new tyrant, the puppet of the Revolutionary Guards, cannot present his face in public.”
Mr. Khamenei had earlier issued a primary assertion in his identify that was learn out by a TV presenter.
Printed – March 13, 2026 03:15 am IST