Jerusalem [Israel], February 17 (ANI/TPS): Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem on Sunday to discuss various issues, particularly the ongoing threat from Iran and the situation in Gaza.
In his remarks, Netanyahu praised President Donald Trump as “the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House” and emphasized the strong bond between Israel and the United States. “Israel and America stand shoulder-to-shoulder in countering the threat of Iran,” Netanyahu stated. “We agreed that the ayatollahs must not have nuclear weapons, and we also agreed that Iran’s aggression in the region must be rolled back.”
Netanyahu reflected on the last 16 months, saying Israel had dealt a “mighty blow to Iran’s terror axis,” and expressed confidence that under Trump’s leadership, and with full US support, Israel could “finish the job.” He also thanked the US for its “unequivocal backing for Israel’s policy in Gaza.”
“I want to assure everyone who is now listening to us, President Trump and I are working in full cooperation and coordination between us,” Netanyahu assured, adding that they share a common strategy that cannot always be disclosed publicly. “We can’t always share in details this strategy with the public, including when the gates of hell will be opened, as they surely will if all our hostages are not released, until the last one of them.”
Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s determination to achieve the war objectives set after the October 7 attack, which he described as the worst attack on Jews since the Holocaust. These objectives include eliminating Hamas’s military capabilities, dismantling its political rule in Gaza, and ensuring that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel.
“Israel will bring all our hostages home and will ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel,” he said. Netanyahu also discussed plans to help bring “President Trump’s bold vision for Gaza” to fruition.
He commended President Trump and his administration for reinstating the executive order against the International Criminal Court (ICC) and swiftly sanctioning ICC officials. “The Secretary and I discussed working together to formulate a common strategy to deal with the threat of lawfare and neutralize this threat once and for all,” Netanyahu stated.
Rubio Criticizes Iran’s Role in Regional Instability
In a joint press briefing with Netanyahu, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio laid blame on Iran for the instability in the Middle East. “Iran is the single greatest source of instability in the region, behind every terrorist group, behind every act of violence, behind every destabilizing activity,” Rubio stated, adding that the Iranian regime is a “regime that its people do not support” and that the people of Iran are “victims of that regime.”
Rubio also stressed that a nuclear Iran must never become a reality. “A nuclear Iran can hold itself immune from pressure and action, that can never happen,” he said.
These remarks follow a meeting between Rubio and Netanyahu that was described as “very productive.” Netanyahu echoed Rubio’s sentiments about Iran, agreeing that the ayatollahs must be prevented from obtaining nuclear weapons, and that Iran’s aggression must be countered.
Earlier, US President Trump signed executive orders reinstating the “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, which includes sanctions targeting Iran’s oil exports. Trump had withdrawn from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) in 2018, which had lifted sanctions on Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear program.
