Netanyahu: Iran war not over until uranium removed

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that the conflict with Iran remains unresolved because Tehran still holds enriched uranium that must be eliminated. In an interview with CBS News that aired Sunday, Netanyahu stated: “I think it accomplished a great deal. But it’s not over because there’s still nuclear material, enriched uranium, that has to be taken out of Iran.”

Military ambiguity and US cooperation

When asked whether the uranium would be removed by force, Netanyahu avoided discussing operational details, saying: “I’m not going to talk about our military possibilities, plans, or anything of the kind.” He added that the objectives of the US-Israeli campaign include dismantling Iran’s enrichment infrastructure and preventing it from rebuilding missile and proxy networks. “There are still enrichment sites that have to be dismantled,” he said, noting that Iran’s capabilities have been degraded but not eliminated. Referring to Trump, Netanyahu said: “What President Trump has said to me, ‘I want to go in there.’”

Iran’s counterproposal and regional context

Over the weekend, Iran submitted its formal response to the latest US peace plan through Pakistani mediators. According to Press TV, Tehran’s counterproposal demands compensation from the United States, stresses Iranian sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz, calls for an end to sanctions, and seeks the release of frozen Iranian assets abroad. The report stated that Tehran rejected the US plan because it would have required submission to “excessive demands.” A fragile ceasefire has been in place since April 8 but has failed to produce a lasting agreement.