Netanyahu claims US and Israel have crushed Iran's nuclear and missile programs

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that a joint U.S.-Israel effort has dealt a decisive blow to Iran's nuclear and missile ambitions, declaring the programs "crushed" and the regime now "fighting to survive." In a statement that echoed across global headlines, Netanyahu framed the campaign as a turning point in regional security, one that has dismantled years of Iranian advancement through coordinated military and intelligence operations.

Backing those claims, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli strikes had destroyed approximately 70% of Iran's steel production capacity-a figure he presented as both a strategic and symbolic victory. Steel is essential for missile casings and military infrastructure, and targeting it suggests a broader campaign aimed not just at weapons sites but at the industrial backbone supporting them. Katz described the damage with a tone of resolve, comparing the impact to eliminating a competitor in a high-stakes industry.

The statements follow a series of reported strikes and cyber operations over recent weeks, some attributed to Israel and others believed to involve U.S. support. While neither government has released detailed evidence, satellite imagery and regional reports indicate damage at several industrial and military sites. Still, independent analysts caution that such assessments are difficult without on-the-ground access, and Iran has yet to issue a full public response.

Critics, particularly from progressive and anti-war circles, have pushed back hard. Outlets like Jacobin argue the campaign goes beyond military targets, accusing Israel and the U.S. of waging war on Iran's economic development and civilian infrastructure. They warn that destroying steel plants and power systems risks violating international norms and could deepen humanitarian strain on ordinary Iranians.

Supporters, however, see the actions as a necessary deterrent. From this view, Iran's past nuclear pursuits and missile tests posed a clear threat to regional stability, and decisive action was overdue. Some analysts suggest that even temporary setbacks could buy time for diplomacy or shift Iran's strategic calculus.

Still, questions linger about sustainability. Iran has rebuilt capabilities after past setbacks, and its network of proxies across the Middle East remains active. Experts note that while physical destruction matters, long-term success depends on intelligence, containment, and political outcomes-none of which are guaranteed.

For now, the situation remains tense. Regional allies are watching closely, and the potential for escalation is real. Whether this moment marks a turning point or just another spike in a long-running conflict may depend less on what's been destroyed and more on what comes next.