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Binyamin Netanyahu has hinted that a ground offensive will be needed to bring down Iran's regime (Image: Getty)
Binyamin Netanyahu has hinted that a ground offensive will be needed to bring down Iran's regime, telling Trump and the world that air strikes alone cannot finish the job.
The Israeli prime minister said Israel was still "working to create the conditions" for the Islamic Republic to collapse. Iranian leaders had been "eliminated," he said — before making clear what he believed must come next.
"You can't do revolutions from the air — that is true," he said. "There has to be a ground component. There are many possibilities for this … I take the liberty of not sharing all these possibilities."
Netanyahu dismissed suggestions he had "dragged" the US into war with Iran, and insisted the conflict had broad international backing — even if world leaders were reluctant to say so publicly. "I speak to dozens of world leaders" and they backed the war privately, he said. "We are fighting your fight."
The prime minister said any Iranian attempt to close the Strait of Hormuz would fail, and that Israel was prepared to keep striking "as long as it takes." He added: "I see this war ending a lot faster than people think … But in war you have to grit your teeth."
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2 mins ago04:21 Peter Hennessy
Teenage weightlifter executed by Iran
Iran have executed a teenage weightlifting sensation after his alleged involved in January protests.
Saleh Mohammadi is one of three men who has been put to death.
Read full story here.
16 mins ago04:07 Peter Hennessy
Iran's women's football team arrive in Tehran
Members of Iran’s national women’s football team were greeted with a welcome ceremony upon their return to the Islamic Republic after several of the players had sought asylum in Australia.
“First of all we are so happy to be in Iran, because Iran is our homeland,” midfielder Fatemeh Shaban said.
People in the crowd waved flags, while some players held bouquets of flowers and signed what appeared to be miniature soccer balls. Iranian media had reported that the team returned Wednesday.
“I wasn’t expecting this many people to come to welcome us, and I am happy to be the daughter of Iran,” Shaban said in translated comments.
Two players, Fatemeh Pasandideh and Atefeh Ramezanisadeh, chose to remain in Australia and have been training with the Brisbane Roar club.
Others who initially sought asylum after the team was knocked out of the Women’s Asian Cup later changed their minds and said they would return.
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51 mins ago03:32 Peter Hennessy
'Heavy explosions' in Dubai
Heavy explosions shook Dubai in the United Arab Emirates early Friday as air defenses intercepted incoming fire over the city.
A missile alert sounded prior to the strike, with authorities saying there were activating air defenses to counter an Iranian barrage.
The Dubai Media Office, the sheikhdom’s government communication’s arm, said, “Authorities in Dubai confirm the success of all air interception operations, with no injuries reported.”
Netanyahu confirms Trump told him to 'hold off' on Iran oil strikes
Binyamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Donald Trump personally asked him to stop striking Iranian oil facilities, even as he insisted Israel had "acted alone" in targeting the South Pars gasfield, states the Times.
Trump had told Netanyahu to "hold off" on further attacks against Iranian energy infrastructure — a request the Israeli prime minister acknowledged publicly for the first time.
Around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded aboard 3,200 vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz, according to the International Maritime Organisation, as the waterway remains effectively closed to shipping.
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