07 September,2026 09:21 AM IST | Jerusalem | mid-day online correspondent
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Pic/AFP
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said the end of the Iranian regime was near and claimed that it was fighting for its survival, while stressing that Israel still had another major mission to accomplish.
Netanyahu made the remarks during a Rosh Hashanah toast held at a government meeting, where he reviewed what he described as Israel's recent military achievements and warned that the country would continue to act against threats it considers to be aimed at its security.
"We are on the threshold of Rosh Hashanah, and more than ever, the State of Israel comes first. Thanks to the wise and courageous decisions we made together around this table, thanks to the heroism of our fighters, thanks to the resilience of our people - we have achieved tremendous accomplishments. Israel is stronger than ever; our enemies are weaker than ever. Together with the United States, we have achieved tremendous successes in removing an existential threat hanging over our heads. We have pushed away atomic bombs and ballistic missiles, and we have struck the Iranian axis with immense power," the Israeli Prime Minister's Office quoted Netanyahu as saying.
Netanyahu said Israel would continue to defend itself and retaliate against threats. He also warned that Iran could face severe consequences if it launched an attack against Israel.
"We are determined to defend ourselves; we are determined to strike our enemies. They are not attacking us. Iran is refraining from doing so, and it knows why. Of course, it could err and make the mistake of attacking us anyway. It will suffer a blow it cannot even imagine," the Israeli Prime Minister highlighted.
Netanyahu also described Israel as the strongest military power in the Middle East and issued a direct warning to its adversaries.
"I say to our enemies: Do not try us. This (Israeli) people knows how to unite in moments of testing, and right now it is the strongest superpower in the Middle East, and some say even beyond," Netanyahu added.
The Israeli prime minister also referred to ongoing military operations by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), saying troops were continuing to target militants in several areas.
He said that the IDF was eliminating terrorists in Lebanon, Gaza, Judea and Samaria around the clock, referring to areas where Israeli forces have conducted military operations amid continuing regional tensions.
His remarks came as Israel remains engaged in multiple security and military fronts, with the conflict involving Iran and its regional allies continuing to shape the wider security situation in the Middle East.
Netanyahu said Israel's military achievements were significant but argued that its objectives had not yet been fully achieved. He identified the removal of Iran's current leadership as one of the remaining goals.
"The achievements are immense, but there is still more to complete. I mean, first and foremost, the toppling of the (Iranian) regime. This regime in Iran - its end is near. It is weak, it is fighting for its life, it is faltering. And there is another mission to complete, which we are determined to bring about," Netanyahu highlighted.
Netanyahu said Israel's stated objectives could have consequences extending beyond the immediate conflict and could alter the region's political landscape.
"This will permanently change the face of the Middle East and the history of our people. We know that we are determined to do this, and we are determined and know that we are capable of doing this," he stressed.
(With inputs from IANS)
