Benjamin Netanyahu told CBS’s “60 Minutes” on May 10, 2026 that the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against Iran cannot be declared over until Iran’s stockpile of enriched uranium and its enrichment sites are taken out of the country.
Key Developments
- Netanyahu emphasized that physical removal of the uranium is feasible, but prefers an agreement rather than a military operation.
- He reiterated his request to U.S. aid for Israel be phased down to zero over the next decade.
- President Donald Trump publicly claimed Iran is “militarily defeated” and that the uranium can be seized “whenever we want,” a stance that differs from his private conversation with Netanyahu.
- Netanyahu listed remaining war aims: dismantling Iran‑backed proxy groups, halting ballistic missile production, and curbing Chinese assistance.
- He acknowledged China’s support to Iran’s missile programme.
Important Facts
The war, which began after Israel’s pre‑emptive strikes on Iranian facilities, has left Iran with undisclosed quantities of enriched uranium. Netanyahu said the removal could be “physically” done, but the political and diplomatic pathway remains unclear. He also noted that Iran continues to support regional militias and is pursuing ballistic missiles, despite recent degradation of some