Discussing Iran With US Secretary Of State Rubio, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu: We Can And Will Complete This Job

JAKARTA - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the United States were determined to thwart Iran's nuclear ambitions and aggression in the Middle East, after meeting with Foreign Minister Marco Rubio.

Speaking in Jerusalem, PM Netanyahu said they had held "very productive discussions" on a number of issues, "nothing more important than Iran".

"Israel and America work hand in hand against Iran's threats," he said.

"We agree that the Ayatollahes must not have nuclear weapons and also agree that Iranian aggression in the region must be stopped," he continued.

Foreign Minister Rubio in turn said: "Behind every terrorist group, behind any acts of violence, behind any destabilizing activity, behind everything that threatens peace and stability for millions of people calling this region home Iran."

Foreign Minister Rubio arrived in Israel on Saturday night local time on his first visit to the Middle East.

Israel-Iran hostilities have been going on for decades through the history of secret wars and attacks by land, sea, air and cyberspace.

Iran has also supported groups in the Middle East that described themselves as "Poros Resistance" to Israel and US influence in the region.

The axis not only includes Hamas, the Palestinian group that sparked the Gaza war by attacking Israel in October 2023, but also the Hezbollah movement in Lebanon, the Houthi movement in Yemen, various Shia armed groups in Iraq and Syria.

For 16 months since the Gaza war erupted, Israel has killed high-ranking leaders Hamas and Hezbollah, while Israel and Iran have retaliated against each other limited counter-attacks.

PM Netanyahu said Israel had given Iran a "severe blow" since the start of the war in Gaza, and with the support of US President Donald Trump "I believe we can and will complete this work".

Thanks to Foreign Minister Rubio for "firm support" for Israel's policy in Gaza, PM Netanyahu said Israel and the United States in President Trump had the same strategy in the Palestinian enclave, where a fragile ceasefire was in effect.

"I want to convince everyone who is now listening to us, President Trump and I are working together and coordinating fully between us," he said.

Rubio added: "Hamas cannot continue to be a military force or a government and as long as Hamas stands as a power that can rule or manage or a force that can threaten by using violence, peace becomes impossible."