Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on March 19 that, in his assessment, Iran has emerged from the war “weaker than ever,” The Times of Israel reports.
He claims that Tehran “can no longer enrich uranium” and “is no longer capable of producing ballistic missiles.” Summarising the first 20 days of fighting, Netanyahu said: “we are winning, and Iran is suffering a crushing defeat.” According to him, Iran’s missile and drone arsenals are “being significantly depleted” and “will be destroyed.”
The United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran, stating that its objective is to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Since the start of the conflict, both countries have repeatedly struck Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said in an interview with CBS News on March 19 that US and Israeli strikes have had a significant impact on Iran’s nuclear programme. At the same time, he stressed that once the war ends, stockpiles of uranium enriched to 60%—a level close to weapons-grade—will still remain buried beneath the rubble of destroyed nuclear facilities.