Netanyahu vows Iran 'will not have nuclear weapons', warns of third strike if needed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel remains prepared to launch fresh strikes against Iran if necessary, reaffirming that it will act independently to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons even as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations aimed at easing regional tensions.

Speaking to Israel's Channel 14, Netanyahu said Israel would not hesitate to take military action if it believed Iran was advancing its nuclear programme.

“We entered Iran twice to save ourselves from destruction. There will be a third time if necessary. As long as I’m Prime Minister Iran will not have nuclear weapons," he said.

Netanyahu said Israel's military campaign against Iran and its regional allies was still ongoing, insisting that his goal of achieving "total victory" remained unchanged despite what he described as major military successes over the past three years.

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Responding to a question on whether his objective in the Gaza war had changed, Netanyahu said, "It never ends," when asked whether his Gaza war objective of achieving “total victory" was still in force. “Israel is stronger than it has ever been… We have more work to do. We will take care of what is left of the Iranian axis."

The remarks, reported by Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency, underscore Israel's continued opposition to any agreement that, in its view, allows Iran to retain the capability to pursue nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu also reaffirmed that Israeli troops would continue operating in southern Lebanon, saying they would remain there as long as Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran, continued to pose a security threat.

During a visit to Israeli troops in southern Lebanon on Tuesday, he said, “Our position is clear: we will not leave southern Lebanon until the threat has disappeared. And as long as Hezbollah, armed, is here and threatening us, we will stay here."

Warning comes as US-Iran talks continue

Netanyahu's comments came as the US and Iran continue negotiations aimed at transforming a preliminary ceasefire framework into a broader political agreement.

The Qatar-mediated talks, backed by regional and international partners, are focused on ending hostilities, easing sanctions, addressing concerns over Iran's nuclear programme and strengthening security arrangements across West Asia.

The MoU follows months of military confrontation that intensified after coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iranian targets earlier this year triggered retaliatory attacks from Tehran and heightened fears of a wider regional conflict.

According to details of the proposed framework, Washington and Tehran have agreed in principle to pursue a phased de-escalation process.

The draft memorandum includes commitments to halt military action, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, negotiate sanctions relief and establish mechanisms to address Iran's nuclear activities.

Iran has reiterated under the framework that it will not develop nuclear weapons, while broader technical negotiations continue.

'Israel not bound by US-Iran deal'

Israel has repeatedly indicated that it does not consider itself bound by any agreement that, in its view, leaves Iran's military or nuclear capabilities intact.

US President Donald Trump has publicly called for restraint and warned against renewed escalation.

According to comments made to Axios, Trump cautioned Netanyahu that another large-scale military operation could leave Israel diplomatically isolated and undermine the ongoing negotiations.

"I said, 'Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon,'" Trump said.

Trump has argued that diplomacy offers the best opportunity to prevent another regional conflict and has reportedly urged Israel to avoid actions that could jeopardise a final agreement with Tehran.

US officials have said Washington has sought to balance support for Israel's security concerns while preventing a broader confrontation.

US envoy in Doha 

US special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner have arrived in Doha to hold discussions with Qatari mediators on the ongoing US-Iran negotiations, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said. However, he clarified that no meetings with Iranian officials are planned and that no high-level or direct talks between Washington and Tehran are scheduled in the coming days.

The diplomatic engagement follows an agreement between the US and Iran to halt attacks and send delegations to Qatar after four days of military exchanges triggered by tensions over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation had threatened a preliminary agreement aimed at ending the four-month conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran.