Tel Aviv [Israel], June 17: In an interview with ABC News, Prime Minister Netanyahu affirmed that Israel's attack on Iran was justified with the goal of weakening the country, while emphasizing the existential threat from Tehran.
Asked about reports that US President Donald Trump vetoed Israel's plan to assassinate Iran's supreme leader Khamenei over concerns that the move would escalate tensions between Iran and Israel, the Israeli leader denied it.
"It will not escalate the conflict but will end the conflict. Forever conflict is what Iran wants and they are bringing us to the brink of nuclear war ," Netanyahu asserted.
Asked whether Israel considered Iran's supreme leader a target for elimination, Netanyahu said Israel was "doing what needs to be done." "I won't go into details, but we have targeted their top nuclear scientists," Netanyahu said.
Mr Netanyahu also stressed that US support for Israel in its efforts to eliminate Iran's nuclear program is in Washington's interest. "Today it's Tel Aviv, tomorrow it's New York," Mr Netanyahu said.
In the interview, Mr Netanyahu harshly criticized Mr Khamenei, accusing him of being behind attacks carried out by armed groups in the region aimed at "extinguishing life" in Israel.
Iran has not yet commented on the speech by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
In another development, Reuters quoted US House Speaker Mike Johnson as saying on June 16 that he had postponed his planned trip to Israel on June 22 due to the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel. "We look forward to rescheduling in the near future and send our prayers to the people of Israel and the Middle East," Johnson said.
On June 16, the US State Department raised its travel warning for Israel to level 4 - the highest level, and warned US citizens not to travel to Israel due to "armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest".
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
