Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the conflict with Iran was “not over”, warning that much work remained to curb Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, despite a fragile US-backed ceasefire.
Netanyahu emphasized that Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium must be removed and its nuclear enrichment infrastructure dismantled.
“We’ve degraded a lot now,” Netanyahu told CBS News, referring to Iran’s nuclear capabilities, as well as its regional proxy forces and missile production capacity.
“But it’s all still there and there’s work to be done,” he added.
International nuclear monitors estimate that Iran still possesses about 970 pounds of near-bomb-grade uranium, raising lingering concerns among Western and Israeli officials about Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
Netanyahu said the preferred solution would involve the physical removal of enriched uranium from Iran under a negotiated agreement.
“You go in and take it out,” he said as he discussed possible plans to remove the nuclear material.
Diplomatic agreement on ‘best way’ to remove uranium
Israel’s prime minister suggested that a diplomatic deal would be an ideal outcome if it successfully secured the removal of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
“If there is an agreement, that will be the best way,” Netanyahu said.
But he declined to outline what Israel might do if the talks fail or if Iran refuses to meet international demands on its nuclear material.
“I’m not going to put a timetable on it, but I will say it’s an extremely important mission,” he said.
Netanyahu rejects reports of tension with the Trump administration
Netanyahu also rejected suggestions that Israel was blindsided by Washington’s diplomatic engagement with Iran.
The Israeli leader said he continues to communicate frequently with US President Donald Trump to maintain close coordination between the two allies.
The comments come amid continued uncertainty surrounding a ceasefire deal between the United States and Iran, with tensions in the Middle East remaining high despite efforts to prevent further escalation.
Iran warns of “heavy attack” on US bases if oil tankers are attacked
Meanwhile, Iran warned that any attack on its oil tankers or merchant vessels would trigger a “heavy attack” on US military bases and enemy ships in the region, escalating tensions despite a fragile ceasefire with the United States.
Iranian state television said on Saturday that the warning was issued by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) navy, a day after US forces struck two Iranian oil tankers in the Persian Gulf region.
The warning came as Washington and Tehran continued to accuse each other of violating a months-old ceasefire that followed weeks of conflict in the region.
US forces disabled two Iranian tankers on Friday as they allegedly tried to break the US naval blockade imposed on Iranian ports, according to the US military.
The U.S. military also said it foiled attacks on three Navy ships and carried out strikes on Iranian military facilities near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran responded by warning that future attacks on its commercial shipping would trigger direct retaliation against US assets and allied vessels.
Bahrain has arrested dozens of people over alleged ties to Iran
Bahrain announced the arrest of 41 people accused of links to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Bahrain’s interior ministry said the investigation revealed the suspects communicated with the IRGC and collected funds intended to support Iran’s “terrorist operations”.
The Gulf kingdom hosts the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet and remains Washington’s key strategic ally in the region.
Iran warns Bahrain against supporting US efforts
Iran also issued a direct warning to Bahrain over its support for US-backed regional actions.
“We warn governments, including micro-states like Bahrain, that siding with the US-backed resolution will have serious consequences. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital lifeline; don’t risk closing it forever,” wrote Ebrahim Azizi, head of the national security committee in Iran’s parliament, on social media.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Iran has largely curtailed maritime traffic on the waterway since the start of the war with the US and Israel on February 28, contributing to a sharp rise in global fuel prices and renewed market volatility.
The US blockade increases the pressure on Tehran
The United States maintains a naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and commercial shipping.
U.S. Central Command announced Saturday that U.S. forces have intercepted 58 merchant vessels and destroyed four ships since the blockade began on April 13.
Washington has argued that the blockade is necessary to prevent Iran from financing military operations and pursuing its disputed nuclear program.
Trump renews pressure on Iran
US President Trump has repeatedly warned Iran that Washington could resume large-scale bombing if Tehran refuses to accept a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and limit its nuclear activities.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Friday, according to Iranian state media, that Tehran was not paying attention to the US “terms”.
Despite the tensions, diplomatic contacts continue.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan was communicating with both Washington and Tehran “day and night” in an effort to preserve the ceasefire and negotiate a broader peace deal.
Russia and Saudi Arabia have also called for renewed diplomatic efforts to secure a long-term settlement to the conflict.
The question remains the leadership of Iran
Speculation also continued about the state of the Iranian leadership.
A senior Iranian official said Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in “full health” and will finally make a public appearance after staying out of sight since the war began.
The official said Khamenei suffered injuries to his knee and back during the initial attacks of the conflict but is recovering.
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