JERUSALEM, February 2026 — In a pointed address aimed at the international community, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has laid down a definitive “red line” regarding any future diplomatic deals with Iran. Asserting that the security of the world hangs in the balance, the Prime Minister argued that previous attempts to merely “pause” Iran’s nuclear progress have failed, calling instead for the total physical dismantling of their enrichment infrastructure.

The Credibility Gap: “They Lie and They Cheat”

Netanyahu opened his address with a blunt assessment of the Iranian regime’s diplomatic track record. Expressing deep-seated skepticism toward any negotiated settlement, he stated that Iran remains reliable in only one aspect: “They lie and they cheat”.

The Prime Minister warned that any deal providing Iran with a loophole to maintain its current hardware is a “security death trap” for the Middle East and the United States alike. He insisted that the global community must stop treating the Iranian nuclear program as a temporary hurdle and start treating it as a permanent threat that requires a structural solution.

Beyond the Pause: The Call for Total Dismantling

The core of Netanyahu’s demand lies in the physical destruction of Iran’s enrichment capabilities. He argued that simply stopping the enrichment process is insufficient because it allows the regime to restart at a moment’s notice.

• Infrastructure Destruction: Netanyahu demanded the dismantling of specialized equipment and the vast underground networks Iran has spent decades building.
• The Tunnel War: He revealed that while Israeli efforts have already “smashed” approximately 150 km of a 500 km tunnel network, the regime is actively attempting to recover and regroup in the remaining 350 km.
• Hidden Labs: The Prime Minister emphasized that no deal can be valid if it allows Iran to hide weapons labs or facilities used to reform their military capabilities under the guise of civilian research.

From “Aid” to “Partnership”: A New Chapter in U.S.-Israel Ties

In a move that signals a historic shift in regional geopolitics, Netanyahu proposed a fundamental restructuring of Israel’s financial relationship with the United States. Recognizing Israel’s growing economic strength, he proposed a 10-year drawdown of U.S. military aid to zero.

Under the proposed plan, the current memorandum of understanding would continue for its final three years, followed by a seven-year phase-out. Netanyahu framed this not as a distancing, but as an evolution. “Israel will support itself and does just as we fight for ourselves,” he stated, adding that the goal is to move from a relationship of “aid” to one of true “partnership”.

Bottom Line

Netanyahu’s message is clear: the era of managed containment is over. By offering to phase out American financial aid while demanding a scorched-earth policy toward Iranian nuclear infrastructure, the Prime Minister is positioning Israel as a self-reliant power that will no longer accept half-measures in the fight against nuclear proliferation.