Even Amid U.S.-Iran Deadlock, Netanyahu Reaffirms: "Iran's Nuclear Armament Will Never Be Tolerated"

Remarks at the 50th Anniversary Memorial for Netanyahu's Brother

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his hardline stance, declaring that "Iran's nuclear armament will never be tolerated," as follow-up negotiations between the United States and Iran after the end of hostilities have stalled.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a press conference in Jerusalem on the 15th (local time). Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

On the 21st (local time), Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke at a memorial ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the passing of his brother, Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan Netanyahu. He stated, "Over the past year, we have launched two historic operations," referring to Operations 'Rising Lion' and 'Roaring Lion.'

He went on to say, "We initiated these operations to counter the threat posed by Iran's evil regime," adding, "If Israel had not acted, the Iranian regime would already possess a nuclear bomb and would have actually used it." He further emphasized, "We are unwavering in protecting our core national interests."

He also stated, "We will not give up our achievements," and announced that Israel would continue its deployment in the southern Lebanon security zone to defend the northern region. He reiterated, "Regardless of any diplomatic changes, Iran's nuclear armament will never be permitted," and stressed, "As long as I am prime minister, Iran will never have nuclear weapons."

These remarks were made as follow-up negotiations between the United States and Iran regarding the end of hostilities in Lebanon have stalled. Based on the memorandum of understanding signed after the end of hostilities, the United States and Iran began follow-up negotiations at the Bürgenstock Resort near Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on this day, but the talks have reached an impasse.

Clashes between the two sides have intensified over the situation in Lebanon. According to Iran's Tasnim News Agency, the Iranian delegation walked out of the negotiations after the U.S. administration under Donald Trump warned that it would strike Iran directly if it continued to tolerate Hezbollah, Iran's proxy. However, U.S. media outlets such as CNN and Bloomberg reported that the negotiations have not been completely suspended.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.