JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on July 8, 2026, that Israel destroyed Iranian nuclear weapons infrastructure and top scientists in an operation he said pushed back Iran's nuclear program. He made these statements as U.S. political criticism of his leadership increased.

During the operation, named "Operation Roaring Lion," Israel targeted Iran's nuclear capabilities. Netanyahu said, "We destroyed a lot of their infrastructure, a lot of their centrifuges, a lot of the associated factories and facilities that they use for manufacturing nuclear weapons, and we knocked out 20 of their top nuclear scientists - 20 of their top nuclear scientists." He added, "So we pushed it back considerably." Netanyahu compared the military action to medical surgery, stating, "It's like, you know, when you excise a piece of cancer, a lump of cancer from your body, you know, it may come back. But you know one thing: if you wouldn't do it, you could die." He said, "America was threatened with a very great danger," explaining, "Because if this regime that chants death to America, death to Trump, will destroy America and so on, if you give that regime the ability to have ballistic missiles that could reach the United States ultimately, and they could arm it with nuclear weapons, then every single American would be in danger." Netanyahu said, "That's why President Trump decided to do this." He stated of Trump, "He does what he thinks is good for the United States. And in this case, I would say it was essential for the security of the United States."

Netanyahu said, "They definitely have chemical weapons. That I can tell you. And that is another threat that they pose." He stated, "Iran is tottering," and said, "The IRGC , the revolutionary guards that basically control Iran, they lost a lot of their money machines. That is, the various industries they used to milk for funds and give them money." Describing the internal situation in Iran, Netanyahu said, "Understand, this is a regime that has, you know, there are about 90 million people in Iran, and the vast majority, like 80%, hate this regime." He said the population considers the leaders "theological thugs who took over the country and, you know, hold them at gunpoint. In fact, they shoot them." Netanyahu said, "They murdered and maimed over 40,000 Iranians who are praying for their liberty." He added, "The Iranian people are in abject poverty. And the dictators and their goons who tyrannize them, they live like kings." Drawing a parallel to other groups, he said, "By the way, the same is in Gaza, the same with Hezbollah, with their proxies, the same thing, you know. They take care of themselves, and they care nothing for the people." Netanyahu concluded, "So I don't think this will last. I think eventually the people will throw them out. We'll have to give them a little assistance." He also noted, "It doesn't mean that they're left to their own devices; they'll go back to it."

Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar issued a statement on July 7, 2026, saying, "The era of defaming IDF soldiers at the taxpayers' expense has ended." He added, "Not on my watch!" In early 2025, Zohar spearheaded a reform prioritizing commercially successful films over others and strengthened regional film funds. The reforms also involved government-appointed lectors allocating film funds, reportedly to favor crowd-pleasing comedies. In December 2025, Zohar announced a professional committee to reexamine government budgeting for the cinema industry, which has resulted in some film funding being withdrawn. Zohar also established new film awards adjudicated by government-appointed judges, intended to compete with the Ophir Awards. He previously denounced the Israeli Academy's 2025 choice for Best Picture, "The Sea," calling it "absurd," "anti-Israeli," and "a slap in the face of Israeli citizens." He stated, "Under my watch, Israeli citizens will not pay from their pockets for a ceremony that spits in the faces of our heroic soldiers." MK Yuli Edelstein announced his departure from the Likud party on July 7, 2026.

Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel commented on July 9, 2026, that Netanyahu's government "cannot stand or survive as it has been." President Donald Trump had stated in an interview around June 2026 that Netanyahu had "no f*****g judgment" after Israel launched an attack against Iran-backed militants in Beirut. Trump asked, "Why did Bibi have to do a f*****g attack?" and said, "I was so pissed off." Trump added, "I let him know." Vice President JD Vance also stated on July 7, 2026, that Netanyahu had "gotten some things wrong." Netanyahu is facing reelection in October 2026.