Israeli prime minister says Iran’s enrichment and missile production capacity has been dismantled as regional energy infrastructure comes under sustained attack.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said March 19 that Israel will refrain from additional strikes on Iran’s South Pars natural gas field at the request of President Donald Trump, while asserting that Iran’s ability to enrich uranium and produce ballistic missiles has been eliminated.
Trump stated earlier that he was not informed in advance of Israel’s March 18 strike on the South Pars field, the world’s largest natural gas reserve shared with Qatar and a critical component of both nations’ economies. In a Truth Social statement, the president warned that Israel would not carry out further attacks on the site unless Iran escalates by targeting Qatar, in which case the United States would respond with force against the facility.
Speaking at a press conference, Netanyahu said Israeli operations have significantly degraded Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure. “We are winning, and Iran is being decimated,” he said, adding that current strikes are focused on facilities producing components for missiles and nuclear weapons.
Netanyahu stated that Iran no longer possesses the capacity to enrich uranium or manufacture ballistic missiles following weeks of coordinated U.S.-Israeli air operations. He did not present evidence for the claim.
The conflict intensified after the United States and Israel launched strikes on Feb. 28 following the collapse of negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. The operation included strikes that resulted in the death of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran has since carried out retaliatory attacks across the region, targeting U.S., Israeli, and Gulf state interests. Incidents have included maritime attacks near the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, as well as strikes on energy infrastructure. A Saudi refinery in Yanbu along the Red Sea was hit despite efforts to reroute oil exports away from the Strait of Hormuz.
Qatar reported extensive damage to its Ras Laffan liquefied natural gas facility following missile strikes, with production already suspended and recovery timelines uncertain. Additional attacks have been reported on oil refineries in Kuwait and gas facilities in Abu Dhabi.
The escalation has raised concerns about global energy stability. Brent crude prices briefly exceeded $119 per barrel, representing a sharp increase since the start of the conflict, while European natural gas prices have approximately doubled over the past month.
Arab nations including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have condemned Iran’s actions. Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit described the strikes as a “dangerous escalation.”
Despite the sustained military campaign, Netanyahu said it remains unclear whether internal unrest in Iran will materialize. “It’s up to the Iranian people to show that, to choose the moment and to rise to the moment,” he said.
While operations have thus far focused on air power, Netanyahu indicated that additional phases could be considered, stating that a ground component remains one of several possibilities under review. He did not provide further details.
Netanyahu also rejected claims that Israel influenced U.S. involvement in the conflict. “Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?” he said.
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