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Netanyahu's first press conference since war began: Israel 'crushing' Iran, Hezbollah will 'pay heavy price'

·Israel (via Zoom)

Prime Minister Netanyahu held his first press conference since the war with Iran began 13 days ago. He declared Israel is "crushing the terror regime in Iran" and striking its proxy Hezbollah. He warned Hezbollah it "will pay a very heavy price" and cited "unprecedented joining of forces between Israel and the United States" achieving "tremendous accomplishments changing the balance of power in the Middle East."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held his first press conference since the start of the current war with Iran, conducting it over Zoom on Thursday March 12 — Day 13 of the conflict. Netanyahu declared: "We are crushing the terror regime in Iran. We are striking and defeating its proxies — Hezbollah in Lebanon." He warned: "Hezbollah is feeling our force, and it will feel it even more so. It will pay a very heavy price for its aggression." Netanyahu cited US-Israeli cooperation: "Through an unprecedented joining of forces between Israel and the United States, we have achieved tremendous accomplishments — achievements that are changing the balance of power in the Middle East and even beyond it." The press conference represents the first direct public communication from the Israeli prime minister to the press since hostilities began, framing the conflict as a decisive military success.

Actor responses

IsraelSUPPORTINGSTATEMENT

Netanyahu: Israel is crushing Iran and Hezbollah. Unprecedented US-Israel cooperation achieving tremendous accomplishments, changing Middle East balance of power.

HezbollahOPPOSINGCONDEMNATION

Netanyahu warns Hezbollah: "It will pay a very heavy price for its aggression." IDF escalating Lebanon operations.

IranOPPOSINGCONDEMNATION

Netanyahu: Israel is crushing the terror regime in Iran. Framing Day 13 as decisive military success changing regional balance of power.

IsraelSUPPORTINGSTATEMENT

Netanyahu: Would not take out life insurance on any terror organization leader — implicitly threatening Khamenei. Has "many surprises" for the campaign. Addressing Iranian people: "The moment of freedom is approaching — it's in your hands." Lebanon ultimatum: disarm Hezbollah or Israel will — "on the ground, not on the ground, other things." Weaving new unimaginable regional alliances. Speaks daily with Trump.