Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged that Iran will not possess a nuclear weapon, whether or not a nuclear agreement is reached.
The statement reinforces Israel's commitment to preventing a regional nuclear arms race and signals a strategic alignment with the current administration in the U.S.
During a press briefing in Jerusalem on May 26, 2026 [1], Netanyahu addressed the ongoing tension regarding Iran's nuclear program. He said that he will continue to pledge that Iran will not have a nuclear weapon for as long as he serves as prime minister.
Netanyahu said, "We will not retreat from preventing Iran from possessing nuclear weapons."
The prime minister's stance is designed to align Israeli policy with the positions held by U.S. President Donald Trump. By maintaining a hard line, Israel aims to ensure that Iran does not acquire a nuclear deterrent that could shift the balance of power in the Middle East.
Despite this alignment, reports regarding Netanyahu's influence on U.S. decision-making vary. Some reports suggest the prime minister has limited room to maneuver when it comes to influencing the specific decisions made by President Trump regarding Iran.
Netanyahu said he remains committed to this objective regardless of the outcome of diplomatic negotiations. The focus remains on the physical prevention of nuclear acquisition, rather than relying solely on the terms of a signed treaty.
“"We will not retreat from preventing Iran from possessing nuclear weapons."”
Netanyahu's public commitment underscores a policy of 'maximum pressure' and deterrence. By decoupling the goal of nuclear prevention from the success of a diplomatic deal, Israel signals that it may pursue unilateral or joint military options if it perceives that diplomacy has failed to stop Iranian enrichment.
