[96483] Netanyahu Pushes for Military Independence: "Israel Must Break Free from Security Dependency on the U.S."

Netanyahu Calls for Security Independence and Addresses the Continuation of the Regional Campaign

During a meeting with reserve officers in the Gush Etzion area, the Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, declared that Israel must act to reduce its security dependency on the United States. As reported by Iran International, Netanyahu emphasized: "I highly appreciate the support we receive from our American friends, but we must break free from this dependency and build an independent armament infrastructure for ourselves." These remarks were also described by العربیه فارسی and IRNA News Agency as a strategic shift in the country's security outlook.

In addition to the issue of armament dependency, Netanyahu clarified that the campaign against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its proxies in the Middle East is far from over. According to Iran International, the Prime Minister noted that "Israel's future depends on its strength," and added that despite the severe blows dealt to the other side, "it is still not over."

Conversely, the Iranian state media presents a different narrative. SNN.ir, an agency associated with conservative circles in Iran, quotes Ari Ben-Menashe, who claims that Netanyahu's motives stem from internal political needs and a desire to conduct an "eternal war" in order to avoid facing justice. At the same time, Irandaily24 brought the words of former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who sharply criticized the operational management in Lebanon, claiming that the fighters' hands are "tied" and that the government's claims regarding freedom of action do not reflect the reality on the ground.

Against this backdrop, the involvement of former U.S. President Donald Trump is also evident, who was quoted by العربیه فارسی as saying that he is confident in his ability to "quickly solve" the crisis of Israel's unwillingness to withdraw from southern Lebanon, which indicates the complexity of the relations between Jerusalem and Washington.