Netanyahu says Iran's nuclear and missile development programs destroyed

[Financial News] Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on the 11th (local time) that a joint operation by the United States of America and Israel had completely neutralized the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
Citing reports from Agence France-Presse (AFP) and other foreign media, Netanyahu said in a televised statement, "We have succeeded in crushing Iran's nuclear and missile programs," adding, "There is currently not a single operational nuclear enrichment facility left in Iran."
He also said that Iran's missile production capability has almost disappeared, and that while some missile stockpiles remain, they are steadily shrinking.
He explained that the operation was launched based on intelligence that, despite last June's war, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei had been trying to build a secret nuclear and missile base deep in the mountains, beyond the reach of even the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit strategic bomber.
Netanyahu stated that Iran's leadership has threatened Israel for decades, but that as the regime has weakened, it has now been reduced to proposing a ceasefire.
He went on to say, "The Iranian regime is now fighting for its survival," stressing, "Those who tried to strangle us are now the ones we are strangling."
Netanyahu also conveyed that the government of Lebanon had directly proposed peace talks with Israel.
He said, "Over the past month, I have received several direct requests from Lebanon to begin peace talks," and noted that he had agreed to negotiations on two conditions: the disarmament of Hezbollah and an agreement that could lead to genuine peace lasting for generations.
According to the Office of the President of Lebanon, a meeting aimed at a ceasefire and negotiations between Israel and Lebanon is scheduled to take place next week in Washington, D.C.
Since March 2, Israeli military attacks have killed about 2,000 people in Lebanon.
Israel has claimed that hundreds of Hezbollah fighters were killed in large-scale airstrikes carried out last week.

jjyoon@fnnews.com Reporter Yoon Jae-joon Reporter