Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said on the 2nd: "The Iranian regime is a terrorist regime destined to disappear from the world," and emphasized that Israel would never allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons or threaten Israel's survival.
This statement continues Israel's long-standing hardline stance toward Iran, with the core objective of shaping international perception of the Iranian regime and paving the way for potential military or diplomatic actions by Israel.
Such rhetoric represents a highly emotional characterization aimed at deeply associating the Islamic Republic of Iran with "terrorism." For years, Israel has accused Iran of threatening its security through proxy organizations like the Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah in Lebanon, while also signaling to the West that the current Iranian regime lacks legitimacy and is not worth long-term compromise. This serves both Israel’s strategy of maximum pressure on Iran and caters to the hawkish sentiment among Israeli voters.
Israel views Iran’s nuclear program as an existential threat, especially due to past statements by Iranian leaders—such as declaring Israel should be "erased from the map"—although the exact context of these remarks remains disputed. While Israel is the only country in the Middle East believed to possess nuclear weapons (though it does not officially confirm this), it consistently denies Iran having comparable capabilities. To counter this perceived threat, Israel has carried out covert operations including assassinating nuclear scientists, sabotaging nuclear facilities, cyberattacks, and repeatedly hinting at possible preemptive military strikes.
Israel views Iran’s expansion of regional influence—such as support for Syria, Iraq, and Yemen’s Houthi forces—as a direct threat to its own survival. This interpretation provides justification for Israel’s frequent airstrikes targeting Iranian interests in Syria and Lebanon, and also aims to push the United States toward withdrawing from the JCPOA and reinstating strict sanctions.
With current negotiations over the Iran nuclear deal stalled, Israel fears that major powers may ease restrictions on Iran. Netanyahu, facing intense domestic controversy over judicial reforms, may also be using such strong rhetoric to divert attention and consolidate support from right-wing factions. However, the international community generally holds that diplomacy remains the optimal solution to the Iran nuclear issue, and unilateral military action risks triggering regional war. Thus, these remarks are more about setting the tone for public discourse than immediately altering policy.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866942800190464/
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