Prime Minister Netanyahu says Iran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a news conference Thursday that Iran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium or make ballistic missiles, following 20 days of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.

“We are winning and Iran is being destroyed,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said, noting that Iran’s missile and drone arsenal has been significantly degraded and will be destroyed.

“What we’re destroying now are the factories that make the parts to make these missiles and the nuclear weapons that we’re trying to make,” Netanyahu said.

Prime Minister Netanyahu provided no evidence for his claim that Iran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium.

Iran’s nuclear program was the focus of brokered talks, which ultimately collapsed when the United States and Israel launched airstrikes against Iran on February 28. Iran has fired missiles back at Israel and other Gulf states and has also restricted tankers from using the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite nearly three weeks of war, Netanyahu said it was still too early to tell whether Iranians would take to the streets and try to overthrow the government.

“It’s up to the Iranian people to show that, to choose that moment and stand up,” he said.

So far, wars have been fought through air strikes, but Prime Minister Netanyahu said a ground attack is also needed, and that “this ground attack has a lot of potential.” He did not elaborate.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also denied dragging the United States into the conflict.

“Does anyone really think anyone can tell President Trump what to do?” he said.