By Kolawole Ojebisi
Israel and the United States have explained why they are maintaining an intransigent position on the nuclear ambitions of Iran.
The two nations noted that part of the reason for their stance is to undermine Iran’s influence in the Middle East.
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu disclosed this on Sunday following his meeting with the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
Speaking in Jerusalem, Netanyahu underscored the centrality of Iran in their discussions, stating, “none more important than Iran.”
He emphasised the unity between Israel and the U.S. on this front, declaring, “Israel and America stand shoulder to shoulder in countering the threat of Iran.”
Netanyahu added that both nations agreed “the ayatollahs must not have nuclear weapons” and that Iran’s regional “aggression must be rolled back.”
Rubio echoed these concerns, stating, “Behind every terrorist group, behind every act of violence, behind every destabilising activity, behind everything that threatens peace and stability for the millions of people that call this region home is Iran.”
For decades, Israel and Iran have engaged in a shadow conflict spanning land, sea, air, and cyberspace. Iran maintains that its uranium enrichment programme is for peaceful purposes, while allegedly supporting groups across the region that align themselves with the so-called “Axis of Resistance” against Israel and U.S. influence. Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Axis of Resistance includes Hamas, the Palestinian group that launched an attack on Israel in October 2023, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi’ite armed groups in Iraq and Syria. While Iran denies direct control over these groups, Israel has continued to target their leaders, with retaliatory strikes between the two nations increasing over the past 16 months of the Gaza war.
Netanyahu asserted that Israel had dealt a “mighty blow” to Iran since the conflict began and expressed confidence that, with U.S. support, “I have no doubt we can and will finish the job.”
He thanked Rubio for backing Israel’s Gaza policy, noting that both nations “shared a common strategy” under U.S. President Donald Trump.
“I want to assure everyone who’s now listening to us, President Trump and I are working in full cooperation and coordination between us,” Netanyahu said.
His remarks followed the arrival of a shipment of MK-84 heavy bombs after Trump lifted a hold imposed by the previous Biden administration.
Rubio reinforced the U.S. position on Hamas, stating,
“Hamas cannot continue as a military or government force and as long as it stands as a force that can govern or administer or a force that can threaten by use of violence, peace becomes impossible.”
