In JERUSALEM the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will continue its military campaign against Iran, declaring that the country is “not finished yet” with its operations as the conflict enters its second week.

Speaking amid ongoing strikes, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel will persist until its strategic objectives are achieved, including weakening Iran’s missile and nuclear capabilities. The Israeli offensive, known as Operation “Roaring Lion,” has targeted key military facilities, missile infrastructure and command centers across Iran.

The Israeli leader said the campaign is necessary to eliminate what he described as an existential threat posed by Iran’s weapons programs and regional military activities. Israeli officials claim significant progress has already been made in degrading Iran’s military infrastructure.

Escalation of military operations

Israel has intensified its air and intelligence operations during the campaign, conducting multiple waves of strikes across Iranian territory. According to Israeli officials, the attacks are aimed at dismantling Iran’s ballistic missile program and preventing further development of nuclear capabilities.

Netanyahu recently stated that Israeli forces had achieved near-complete control of the skies over Tehran following a series of coordinated strikes carried out with support from the United States.

The operation began after intelligence assessments indicated that Iran was rebuilding parts of its missile and nuclear infrastructure following previous confrontations with Israel. Israeli authorities argue that delaying action could have allowed Tehran to strengthen its military capabilities significantly.

Regional tensions rise

The conflict has significantly increased tensions across the Middle East. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks against Israeli and U.S. interests, while allied militant groups in the region have also become involved.

The fighting has raised concerns among global leaders about the possibility of a broader regional war. Diplomatic efforts to contain the conflict are ongoing, but both sides have continued military operations.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the country does not seek a prolonged war but will continue its campaign until it believes the threat from Iran has been sufficiently neutralized.

Global implications

The escalating conflict has also rattled global energy markets and prompted fears of disruptions to oil supplies, particularly if tensions spread to critical shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.

Analysts warn that the next phase of the conflict could determine whether the crisis remains limited to Israel and Iran or expands into a wider regional confrontation.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Talks between Iran and the U.S. were paused after a 12-day conflict in June, during which Israel and the U.S. targeted Iranian nuclear sites, and Iran responded with multiple ballistic missile attacks on Israel.

Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, expressed on social media: “We indeed pursue rational negotiations. By raising unrealisable issues such as missile restrictions, they set a path that negates any talks.”

Western nations worry that Iran’s uranium enrichment could produce material for nuclear weapons and that it may be developing missiles capable of delivering such warheads. Iran maintains its nuclear program is intended solely for peaceful purposes like electricity generation and insists it does not pursue missiles designed to carry nuclear arms. Furthermore, Tehran asserts its defense capabilities are non-negotiable in any nuclear discussions.

Larijani’s remarks came shortly after France, Germany, and Britain introduced a “snapback mechanism” to potentially reimpose U.N. sanctions on Iran over its nuclear activities. These European countries have called on Iran to return to talks with the U.S. and meet other conditions to delay the reimplementation of sanctions for up to six months.