Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Thursday that Israel acted unilaterally in striking Iran’s South Pars gas field, while also revealing that U.S. President Donald Trump subsequently requested Israel refrain from further attacks.
“Israel acted alone against the Assaluyeh gas compound,” Netanyahu stated during a press conference. “President Trump asked us to hold off on future attacks, and we’re holding off,” according to reports from both the Associated Press and Israel’s ANI News.
The clarification followed reports questioning whether the United States was involved in, or had prior knowledge of, the strike on the Iranian gas facility. Netanyahu dismissed suggestions that his government was attempting to draw the U.S. Into a wider conflict with Iran, calling such claims “absurd.”
The South Pars gas field, located in the Persian Gulf, is one of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, supplying approximately 70% of Iran’s domestic gas needs. The strike reportedly caused fires at the facility, according to Iranian state television.
Netanyahu also addressed concerns about Iran potentially closing the Strait of Hormuz, a vital international shipping lane. “The death cult in Iran is trying to extort the world by closing a major international waterway, the Strait of Hormuz. That will not succeed,” he said.
While acknowledging signs of internal strain within the Iranian regime, Netanyahu stopped short of predicting its imminent collapse. “A lot of signs… I wish I could divulge all of them,” he stated, adding that Israel was working to create conditions for such an outcome, but that the regime might endure.
Netanyahu underscored the ongoing intelligence and military cooperation between Israel and the United States, describing the alliance as a powerful force. “In partnership with our American allies, we can do amazing things… It’s the two most amazing air forces in the world… the two most amazing intelligence services in the world,” he said.
The Israeli Prime Minister also referenced a previous conversation with President Trump, stating that Trump had urged him over a year ago to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. “The world owes a very, very great debt to President Trump for leading this effort to protect our future,” Netanyahu added.
As of Thursday evening, the White House had not issued a public statement responding to Netanyahu’s remarks regarding the request for restraint on future attacks.