Netanyahu Affirms: Iran Will Not Rebuild Its Capabilities

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed on Tuesday that Tel Aviv would not allow Iran to rebuild capabilities threatening its security, as reported by "Yedioth Ahronoth" newspaper. At the Mossad intelligence agency's leadership handover to its new chief, Roman Gofman, Netanyahu declared the "Iranian regime is destined for demise, and we will aid its end," asserting Tehran "will not again threaten Israel's existence." He continued: "We will not allow the Iranian regime to turn back time, acquire nuclear weapons, or threaten our existence." The United States and Israel had initiated a military confrontation against Iran on February 28, before a temporary ceasefire was reached on April 8. In a related context, U.S. President Donald Trump announced Monday that talks with Iran "are proceeding rapidly," after they appeared on the verge of collapse following the Revolutionary Guard's threat to "open new fronts" if Israel did not halt its military operations in Lebanon.