Netanyahu: Iran Is Being ‘Decimated’ — War Could End Sooner Than Expected
As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its 21st day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a stunning press conference Thursday claiming the conflict could wrap up “a lot faster than people think.”
“Iran is being decimated,” Netanyahu declared, asserting that after 20 days of relentless US-Israeli airstrikes under Operation Epic Fury, Iran no longer has the capacity to enrich uranium or manufacture ballistic missiles. It was a bold claim — one he did not provide specific evidence for — but one that signals Israel’s confidence that the campaign has achieved its core strategic objectives.
However, Netanyahu also dropped a bombshell that sent analysts scrambling: he suggested that a revolution in Iran would not come from the air alone and would require a “ground component.” He did not elaborate on what that means, but the implication was unmistakable — and deeply concerning for an American president who has repeatedly insisted no US troops will be deployed.
Trump Tells Netanyahu: ‘Don’t Do That’ — The South Pars Fallout
The dramatic press conference came amid the most significant rift between Washington and Jerusalem since the war began. On Wednesday, Israel launched a unilateral strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field — one of the largest natural gas reserves on the planet — without informing the United States in advance.
Iran’s retaliation was swift and devastating. Tehran launched strikes against Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, which processes roughly a fifth of the world’s liquefied natural gas. Qatar has since announced that repairs to the facility could take years, with 17% of Qatar’s LNG capacity effectively wiped out. Saudi Arabia’s main Red Sea port was also hit.
President Trump was furious. Speaking in the Oval Office during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump confirmed he had confronted Netanyahu directly.
“I told him, ‘Don’t do that,’ and he won’t do that,” Trump told reporters, adding that the US had no prior knowledge of Israel’s decision to strike the gas field.
Netanyahu, for his part, confirmed that Israel acted alone and acknowledged Trump’s request. “He asked us to hold off on future attacks and we are,” Netanyahu said.
But even as those words were being spoken, Iran launched a fresh wave of missiles toward Israel, with sirens sounding across Haifa and the Galilee. The war, clearly, is far from over.
A-10 Warthogs Unleashed in the Strait of Hormuz
In a major tactical development, the Pentagon confirmed Thursday that iconic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft — better known as “Warthogs” — are now actively hunting Iranian fast-attack boats in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The A-10 Warthog is now engaged across the southern flank, targeting fast-attack watercraft in the Strait of Hormuz,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine said during a Pentagon briefing.
The deployment marks a significant expansion of the Warthog’s role in Operation Epic Fury. Armed with the devastating 30mm GAU-8/A Avenger cannon — capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute — along with AGM-65 Maverick missiles and APKWS laser-guided rockets, the A-10 is purpose-built for exactly this kind of fight: low, slow, and lethal against small, fast-moving targets.
According to CENTCOM commander Admiral Brad Cooper, US forces have now destroyed more than 100 Iranian naval vessels since the start of the conflict. The A-10’s loiter capability — it can circle an area for hours waiting for targets — makes it ideal for the confined waters of the Strait, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply transits.
“We will continue to rapidly deplete Iran’s ability to threaten freedom of navigation in and around the Strait of Hormuz,” Cooper stated.
Israel Strikes Tehran on Nowruz — Persian New Year Under Fire
In a move laden with symbolism, Israel pounded Tehran with airstrikes early Friday as Iranians attempted to observe Nowruz — the Persian New Year, one of the most sacred days in Iranian culture.
Activists in Tehran reported hearing multiple strikes around the capital. The attacks came just hours after Netanyahu pledged to hold off on energy infrastructure strikes, raising questions about whether that commitment extends to military and government targets in Tehran itself.
Meanwhile, heavy explosions shook Dubai early Friday as air defenses intercepted incoming Iranian fire over the city. The UAE confirmed that the sounds were “the result of successful interceptions by air defenses” and reported no injuries. The attacks coincided with Eid al-Fitr celebrations in the Gulf, adding another layer of outrage across the region.
Kuwait also reported responding to missile and drone attacks overnight, with its military urging citizens not to panic at the sound of air defense systems engaging incoming threats.
The Humanitarian Cost Mounts
The human toll continues to climb. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reports that more than 3,000 people in Iran have been killed since the war began on February 28, including at least 1,394 civilians — among them over 210 children.
Iran’s Red Crescent Society puts the injury count at more than 18,000 civilians, while the UN has warned that 3 million Iranians have been displaced by the campaign.
Iran has also responded with internal crackdowns, executing three individuals on Thursday convicted of allegedly carrying out operations in support of the United States and Israel during recent unrest.
The Energy Crisis Deepens
Global energy markets are in turmoil. Oil prices spiked roughly 10% on Thursday before easing back slightly, with Brent crude hovering near record highs. The combination of the South Pars strike, the Qatar retaliation, and Iran’s continued stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz has created what analysts are calling a perfect storm for energy markets.
In a remarkable twist, Trump’s Treasury Secretary floated the idea of partially lifting sanctions on Iranian oil to help ease prices — a paradoxical move given the United States is actively bombing the country. Trump himself said he would “do whatever was necessary” to bring oil prices down.
Trump also threatened to “massively blow up” Iran’s South Pars gas field entirely if Tehran launches another attack on Qatar — a threat that would, if carried out, devastate global energy supplies for years.
Western Nations Signal Readiness for Hormuz
In a significant diplomatic development, seven Western nations plus Japan issued a joint statement expressing their “readiness to contribute” to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Japan all signed on — a signal that the conflict could draw in additional military forces.
The statement stopped short of committing forces but represented the strongest international signal yet that the war’s disruption to global energy supplies may force reluctant allies to intervene.
What Comes Next?
Day 21 of Operation Epic Fury presents a war at a crossroads. Netanyahu’s claim that the conflict will end soon stands in stark contrast to Iran’s continued ability to strike across the region — hitting Israel, the Gulf states, and disrupting the global economy simultaneously.
The “ground component” comment looms large. While Trump has flatly stated “I’m not putting troops anywhere,” Reuters reports that behind the scenes, the administration is considering sending thousands more troops to the region. The gap between public statements and private planning may be wider than either leader wants to admit.
One thing is clear: as oil prices soar, Gulf allies demand restraint, and Iranian missiles continue to fly, the war that was supposed to be swift and decisive is becoming something far more complicated — and far more costly — than anyone anticipated.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.