Netanyahu: Trump Pledged to 'Finish the Job' on Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on Wednesday that Iran is once again working to build nuclear weapons. He said he has ordered the IDF, the Mossad and Israel's other security agencies to bring down the regime in Tehran. He added that US President Donald Trump told him several days ago: "We are ready to finish the job, but we will do it only with you, the State of Israel."

Netanyahu spoke to newly commissioned officers at Bahad 1, the IDF's officer training base in southern Israel, Ynet reported.

The speech came days before Israelis go to the polls on October 27. Because of that timing, the military did not carry the ceremony live.

Netanyahu blamed the renewed nuclear push on Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei. "Mojtaba has pulled the pin, and Iran is once again trying to develop its weapons of death," he said.

He argued that only regime change could end the danger. "There is only one way to eliminate this threat once and for all: to topple the regime in Iran. That is my directive to the IDF, the Mossad and the security agencies," Netanyahu said. "As long as they seek to acquire such a terrible weapon, the State of Israel faces an existential threat, and our duty is to save the nation."

Netanyahu said Trump holds the same view. "My friend President Trump also believes this is the only way," he said, before quoting the president's words to him about finishing the job together with Israel.

Netanyahu then added his own pledge: "That is exactly what we will do. We will neutralize the head of the octopus and move to cut off the remaining tentacles. We will eliminate Hamas and Hezbollah."

The live broadcast was blocked by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who was concerned that airing the speeches could amount to illegal election campaigning. The IDF said in a statement: "In accordance with the directive of the deputy attorney general, and given the proximity to the election, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit will not broadcast speeches live at the ceremony."

Defense Minister Israel Katz also spoke to the graduates and their families, opening with birthday wishes to Netanyahu on behalf of everyone present. He then said Iran and its proxies had been trying in recent days to advance attacks aimed at influencing the election result.

"The Iranian regime is at its weakest point ever, and we recognize that this weakness could lead it to take the most extreme measures, including against the State of Israel," Katz said. "We see your attempts, we are prepared to thwart them and we are ready to strike you with full force. If Iran attacks Israel, Iran will burn."

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir called for unity and said the military must stay above political divisions. "The mission of defending the State of Israel belongs to all of us and is greater than any disagreement," Zamir said. "The IDF is the people's army, and unity within it is a condition for its strength." He told the new officers: "Go from here to your soldiers. Lead them with courage and wisdom. Know what and whom you are fighting for. I trust you."

On Sunday, Trump issued a public endorsement of Netanyahu, Arutz Sheva reported. In it, he wrote that if Israel chose "anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so." Netanyahu later called the president to thank him and praised his stance against a nuclear-armed Iran.