Netanyahu: Israel Has Destroyed Iran’s Nuclear Capabilities Twice and Will Prevent Tehran From Acquiring a Nuclear Weapon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday, September 10, 2026, that Israel had destroyed Iran’s nuclear capabilities twice, warning that Tehran was once again working to rebuild its capabilities with the aim of developing a nuclear weapon.

In a recorded statement, Netanyahu said US President Donald Trump had also warned that Iran was seeking to restore its ability to produce a nuclear weapon, describing the assessment as accurate. He stressed that Iran would not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon as long as he remained in office, while pledging to continue targeting what he called the “Iranian axis.”

Turning to the Lebanese front, Netanyahu said Israeli forces had destroyed Hezbollah positions and underground infrastructure in the Shuqeif mountain range in southern Lebanon and were now operating in the Ali al-Taher mountain range. In a joint statement with Defense Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu said the military had destroyed Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure in the area, claiming the operation had completed the organization of the security zone in southern Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 15 quoted a senior military official as warning that any Iranian intervention in the developments in Lebanon would be met with what he described as a “powerful strike.” The Israeli military also said a series of planned airstrikes and explosions would be carried out on the Lebanese front in the coming hours, with their sounds expected to be heard across parts of the Upper Galilee, the Hula Valley and the Golan Heights.

The developments come amid continued tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, which escalated on March 2 following rocket fire toward northern Israel. The attacks were followed by Israeli ground operations in several border towns before a ceasefire was announced on June 20, leading to a reduction in the intensity of military activity in southern Lebanon.