Netanyahu, Rubio vow to fight Iran together
Last Updated on February 17, 2025 6:35 am
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country will complete the fight against Iran with the support of the United States.
He made the remarks at a joint press conference with visiting US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jerusalem on Sunday.
Netanyahu said that over the past 16 months, Israel has dealt a powerful blow against Iran’s terrorist activities. Under the leadership of President Trump and with your (America’s) unwavering support, I am confident that we will be able to complete this task.
He added, “Israel and America stand shoulder to shoulder in confronting the Iranian threat.”
Experts believe that his comments could further escalate the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran. There is also a risk of conflict between the two sides.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stood by the Israeli Prime Minister and said, “Iran cannot be allowed to become a nuclear power.”
Rubio said at the press conference that he agreed with Netanyahu that Iran is the “greatest source of instability” in the Middle East.
Discussions on Gaza, Iran and Lebanon ceasefire
Earlier, Marco Rubio and Netanyahu discussed in detail the ongoing ceasefires in Gaza, Iran and Lebanon in the meeting.
Netanyahu said, “We and President Trump are working in full coordination on the Gaza issue.”
Currently, a fragile ceasefire is in effect between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of war. During Rubio’s visit, Israeli and US officials are continuing discussions on the release of six more surviving prisoners held in Gaza.
Rubio’s Middle East visit and US position
Rubio arrived in Tel Aviv on Saturday night, which is his first visit to the Middle East. As part of the trip, he will visit Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia between February 13-18 after attending the Munich Security Conference.
Earlier on Saturday, three Israeli hostages, Sasha Trupanov, Sagui Dekel Chen and Eyre Horn, were released. Earlier, President Donald Trump warned that the United States would fully support any decision by Netanyahu if the prisoners were not released by 7 p.m. Saturday (Israeli time).
Source: Jerusalem Post