Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran was developing intercontinental ballistic missiles and pursuing nuclear weapons with the aim of threatening American cities, telling Fox News on Sunday that the US, rather than Israel, was the Iranian regime's ultimate target.
Netanyahu argued that Iran's ambitions extend beyond Israel, warning that the regime intends to target both the US and Europe if it succeeds in destroying Israel. He said Iran's development of long-range missiles and pursuit of a nuclear arsenal were intended to place American cities at the mercy of the regime.
"This is a regime that chants death to Israel, death to America. You are the real target. And I think we are well on our way to achieving this, with President Trump's brilliant leadership, both military and, then, economic blockade," Netanyahu said.
The prime minister explained that the Iranian regime views the US as "the great Satan" and Israel as the "little Satan," before directing a remark at European countries.
He said he "hoped our European friends are not offended; you are seen as the middle-sized Satan, you are mediocre in so many ways."
"Iran would be a nuclear power as we've never seen in the entire world, because they don't have this careful calculus of cause and benefit. Because they are so fanatic. So you can't win them over, you can't buy them out," he said.
Netanyahu also described the Iranian regime as a "malevolent power" operating alongside what he called the "Three Hs": Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
"They are the arms of this toxic octopus. And it's not Iranian people; they are great people," he added.
Eliminating the Iranian threat was the first of three priorities Netanyahu outlined for his next term if reelected in the October 27 Knesset election, alongside expanding the Abraham Accords and establishing Israel as a global leader in artificial intelligence.
"First, we will achieve the complete elimination of the Iranian threat to Israel, to America, and to the entire world," Netanyahu said.
Expanding Abraham Accords as a key objective
"Second thing is to expand the historic Abraham Accords that [US President Donald] Trump and I forged here with four Arab states," Netanyahu continued.
"There are many more that are waiting in this precise moment, because they saw our strength, our power and fortitude. And they want to join us. So let's create an axis of peace and moderation against these barbarians who shoot their own people," he said.
Netanyahu also said he plans to "forge a different future, a different Middle East, and also a different world" if reelected.
Artificial Intelligence to help humankind
Netanyahu's third priority focused on artificial intelligence, and the prime minister said he agreed with Trump on both the dangers the technology poses and its potential benefits for humanity.
"I plan to seize the future with the 'Neverland AI,' the 'super intelligence,' as the president calls it. He is absolutely right; they are dangerous, but their possibilities in health, in agriculture, in transport, and in education," he explained.
"You can personalize AI for every child; they have their own potential, and you can give them the best teachers on the planet. We are doing it today in Israel, and we intend to be the world leaders in that area too. These are all amazing things," he added.
Netanyahu also pointed to Israel's economic performance, which he described as among the strongest in the developed world.
"By the way, the economy, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), is leading all the Western countries, the OCD countries, with the greatest growth. That's after three years of war. I want to push that even further, bring a better future to Israel, to our neighbors, to our great ally the United States."