Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: The 2026 60 Minutes Interview
In a Nutshell
In a 2026 60 Minutes interview, Netanyahu states the war with Iran is not over until its nuclear materials, enrichment sites, proxies like Hezbollah, and missiles are fully dismantled, envisioning U.S.-backed physical removal of highly enriched uranium and rejecting linked ceasefires that leave Hezbollah intact. He predicts regime change in Iran could collapse its terror network, notes expanding secret alliances with Arab states against Iran, and calls for phasing out all $3.8 billion in annual U.S. military aid over the next decade amid declining American support. Blaming social media as an "eighth front" for reputational damage, he defends Israel's Gaza operations against ICC accusations, insists on deradicalizing the region without letting Hamas rearm, and vows to reshape the Middle East post-October 7th.
These notes were generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies.
Ceasefire between US and Iran tested by suspected Iranian drone strikes in Persian Gulf. Hostilities spread from Gulf to Lebanon, complicating White House efforts to close deal reopening Strait of Hormuz and stabilizing energy prices. War in 11th week. CBS News colleague Major Garrett interviewed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, first US broadcast interview since war began.
Is the war with Iran over? And if it isn't, who will decide when it is?
Netanyahu: Accomplished great deal, but not over due to remaining nuclear material, enriched uranium to remove from Iran, enrichment sites to dismantle, proxies Iran supports, ballistic missiles they want to produce. Degraded much of it, but work remains.
How do you envision the highly enriched uranium will be removed from Iran?
Netanyahu: Go in and take it out. President Trump said he wants to go in there, thinks it can be done physically. If agreement, best way.
With what? Special forces from Israel, special forces of United States?
Netanyahu: Not talking about military means.
What if there isn't an agreement? Can it be taken out by force?
Netanyahu: Dodging questions, not talking about military possibilities or plans.
How long to achieve that aim?
Netanyahu: No timetable, but terrifically important mission.
Hours before interview, Israel targeted Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, second front in war with Iran, much more Israel's than America's.
Is it possible war with Iran could end, but war with Hezbollah continue? Separate and divergent battlefields?
Netanyahu: They should be. Iran wants linked ceasefire to stay in Lebanon, torture it, hold people hostage.
Will you accept that? Even if President Trump asks?
Netanyahu: No. Trump understands. Want to eliminate danger to communities and cities from rockets.
This could go on even if Iran is solved?
Netanyahu: If Iran regime weakened or toppled, end of Hamas, probably end of Houthis, as Iran's terrorist proxy network scaffolding collapses.
Do you believe possible to topple Iranian regime?
Netanyahu: Can't predict when. Possible? Yes. Guaranteed? No.
New York Times investigation: Before war, in Situation Room on February 11th, Netanyahu made hard sell to president, Iran ripe for regime change, joint US-Israeli mission could end Islamic Republic.
Is that correct?
Netanyahu: Incorrect. Did not say guaranteed. Noted uncertainty and risk, both agreed danger in action but greater danger in not taking action.
Continuing NYT: Netanyahu team outlined conditions pointing to certain victory, regime so weakened it could not choke off Strait of Hormuz.
Factually incorrect?
Netanyahu: Could not quantify exactly. Hormuz problem understood as fighting progressed. Great risk for Iran, took time for them to understand. No perfect foresight; Iranians did not foresee degree of their military retribution against neighboring Gulf states and damage caused.
Prime minister: Surprised how many Arab states interested in strengthening ties with Israel. Possibility of expansion and deepening agreements to alliances never dreamed of.
Concern among Gulf monarchies that Israel not allowed strategic dominance over Middle East. Has this jeopardized?
Netanyahu: Hearing from some Arab countries to strengthen alliance with Israel to deter Iran, do amazing things. More than thought now, in ways not yet public. Degree of economic cooperation on energy, AI, quantum—areas where Israel strong, sharing fruits. Happening right now.
Upcoming summit between Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Trump. China largest importer of crude oil through Strait of Hormuz.
What do you know about China providing materially valuable military support to remaining Iranian regime?
Netanyahu: True, China gave certain amount of support on particular components of missile manufacturing, but can't say more. Disturbs, did not like it, apparently doing right now, could be. Has eyes and ears, but close mouth when necessary.
American military aid to Israel $3.8 billion per year, bipartisan consensus for decades, now under scrutiny due to shifting attitudes.
Time for Israel to reexamine and reset financial relationship with US?
Netanyahu: Absolutely. Told President Trump and own people. Want to draw down to zero American financial support component of military cooperation. Receive $3.8 billion yearly, time to wean from remaining military support.
Timetable?
Netanyahu: Start now, over next decade, next 10 years. Don't wait for next Congress.
Netanyahu aware of declining US support: Recent Pew survey, 60% US adults unfavorable view of Israel, up nearly 20 points in four years. Big reason: war in Gaza, over 70,000 killed per Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry (includes civilians and Hamas terrorists).
Netanyahu attributes reputational harm almost entirely to social media, calls it eighth front of war.
You're not immune, can paint anyone as monster, enough repetition and people believe.
Israel at risk of losing war on social media front, especially younger Americans using words like barbaric in Gaza and Lebanon?
Netanyahu: Israel gone to unbelievable lengths to warn civilians: millions of text messages, phone calls, pamphlets, leaflets. Deterioration of US support correlates 100% with geometric rise of social media. Several countries manipulated it cleverly, hurt badly. Not advocating censorship.
Nothing Israel has done tactically or strategically made mistakes contributing to negative impression?
Netanyahu: Of course. In war, armies sometimes miss, civilians die—mistakes, not deliberate.
Israel besieged on media and propaganda front, not done well on propaganda war. International Criminal Court (not recognized by Israel or US) accused Netanyahu of war crimes for Gaza conduct. Has not achieved disarming Hamas.
Somebody has to disarm, demilitarize, deradicalize Gaza. Israel's obligation or international community's?
Netanyahu: Find countries to do it. If comes to us, will, but choose time and circumstances. Not letting Hamas threaten Israel again. Could be hard way or easy way, prefer easy. Having seen tragedy of war in own family, does not readily dispatch young men and women to battlefield.
Impression of hunger for conflict?
Netanyahu: Before October 7th, considered most restrained prime minister in Israel's history—politically tough, militarily restrained. Changed on October 7th: saw as Iran axis attack to annihilate via noose of death. On second day of war: "We're going to change the Middle East. We're going to change this condition where they're ganging up on us thinking they're going to wipe out the one and only Jewish state, wipe out 3,500 years of Jewish history." Not on my watch. Not on Israeli citizens' watch.
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