Netanyahu: Iran's uranium enrichment capability destroyed, war will end at a speed "far exceeding expectations"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the joint U.S.-Israel operation has destroyed Iran’s uranium enrichment capabilities and ballistic missile production capacity, and he predicts “the end of this war will come much sooner than expected.”

Netanyahu denied reports of an unlimited military campaign against Iran, saying at a Thursday evening press conference that his goals are achievable. He said that, at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, he has agreed not to further attack Iran’s large South Pars gas field. He also stated that Israel is assisting the U.S. in reopening the Strait of Hormuz—Iran has attacked passing ships, effectively blockading this strategic waterway.

Following Netanyahu’s remarks, Brent crude oil prices fell below $108 per barrel. Earlier on Thursday, oil prices had surged to $119 per barrel after Iran launched missile attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region in retaliation for Israel’s strikes on the South Pars gas field. U.S. stock markets recovered some losses, and bond prices rose. The S&P 500 index closed down 0.3%. The yield on the two-year U.S. Treasury note had previously soared to 3.96%, then fell back to 3.79%.

At the press conference, Netanyahu claimed that the U.S.-Israel joint operation achieved significant results against the Iranian regime, which he said is showing signs of “stability.” He highlighted strikes on Iran’s defense industrial base and announced for the first time that Tehran has lost its uranium enrichment capacity and the ability to produce new ballistic missiles.

Netanyahu urged the Israeli public to remain steadfast amid ongoing missile attacks from Iran. He said the war “will continue as long as necessary” until Israel achieves its goals: completely destroying Iran’s missile and nuclear reserves and creating conditions for the possible overthrow of the Islamic Republic regime. He added that he “will not set a countdown for the conflict,” but when asked by reporters, he stated, “I foresee this war ending much sooner than people expect. In war, you have to grit your teeth.”

He emphasized his “historic” partnership with Trump. Previously, Trump tried to distance himself from Israel’s attack on the South Pars gas field, claiming he was “not aware” beforehand. However, this contradicts accounts from informed officials, who said the strike was coordinated with Washington in advance. Netanyahu said Israel carried out the attack independently and, at Trump’s request, “paused future attacks on the South Pars gas field.”

Iran retaliated by launching missiles at Ras Laffan in Qatar, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility. The Wednesday and Thursday exchanges caused a sharp rise in oil and gas prices. Qatar is the world’s second-largest LNG exporter and Asia’s largest LNG supplier. Iranian Foreign Minister Amir Abdollahian warned that if Iran’s energy infrastructure is attacked again, Tehran will respond “without restraint.”

Trump said he criticized Netanyahu over the attack on South Pars. “I told him, ‘Don’t do that’—and he won’t do it again,” he added. “We are independent, but we cooperate well. It’s coordinated, but sometimes he does certain things, and if I don’t like it—(I tell him) we won’t do that.”

Meanwhile, Trump stated he would not send more troops to the Middle East. “No, I won’t deploy troops anywhere,” he told reporters in the Oval Office.