Netanyahu Declares Victory in Iran Conflict, Announces Achievements

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared on April 19 (local time) that Israel had effectively gained the upper hand in its war with Iran, hinting at the possibility of an early end to the conflict. Speaking at his second press conference since hostilities began, held in Jerusalem, Netanyahu asserted that Iran had lost its uranium enrichment and ballistic missile manufacturing capabilities, and that its overall military infrastructure had been neutralized, describing Iran as being "weaker than ever before." He stated that the Israeli Air Force had dropped 12,000 bombs across Iran over the past 18 days, destroying 85% of its air defense network and 60% of its ballistic missile launchers, while neutralizing military infrastructure including naval bases on the northern Caspian Sea coast. Netanyahu also claimed that significant divisions had emerged within the Iranian regime's leadership amidst the Israeli and U.S. offensive, with heightened tensions among senior officials, including potential successor Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

Netanyahu added that he had agreed to halt further strikes on Iranian gas fields, among other targets, at the request of U.S. President Donald Trump, and that goals were being achieved with close military cooperation with the United States and at "lightning speed."

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking at a press conference at the White House on April 19 (local time), bolstered expectations for an early end to the conflict by ruling out any intention to deploy U.S. ground troops or increase troop presence in Iran.

U.S. President Donald Trump held a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide at the White House on April 19 (local time).