Netanyahu on Peace with Tehran: The Only Way is for Iran to Completely Change

Benjamin Netanyahu says Arab countries view Israel as a "necessary ally" in the struggle against Iran and this group of Islamic countries. The Israeli Prime Minister, who is visiting Brazil, stated in an interview with Brazil's Globo TV that this development has created a "revolutionary change in relations with the Arab world." Netanyahu has repeatedly warned about Iran's military presence in Syria and the danger of Tehran acquiring nuclear weapons; two issues that have also raised concerns among Arab countries. In response to a question from Brazilian television about whether it could be imagined that one day the Israeli Prime Minister would talk with the Iranian leader to achieve peace, he stated, "If Iran still considers itself committed to our destruction, no; the only way is for Iran to completely change; its approach must change entirely." The Israeli Prime Minister, who traveled to Oman for the first time two months ago, and the possibility of his visit to other emirates like Bahrain has also been raised. He did not elaborate further on his country's alliance with the Arab world in the fight against Iran, but it is likely that his reference is mainly to shared views and behind-the-scenes coordination with Saudi Arabia. According to Israeli media, Netanyahu has tasked Yossi Cohen, the head of the Mossad, with rapidly advancing relations with Saudi Arabia. Netanyahu spoke about his country's alliance with Arab states against Iran while, according to reports from France, following the recent decision by Donald Trump, the President of the United States, to withdraw American troops from Syria, Israel has intensified attacks on Iranian targets and its allies in Syria. The Israeli Prime Minister has consistently warned that the Islamic Republic of Iran is pursuing its long-standing goal of destroying Israel through its nuclear program and the deployment of its military and Shiite allies in Syria. Israeli officials confirmed that the Israeli army attacked a series of targets in Syria last week to destroy newly arrived weapons from Iran for the Hezbollah group in Lebanon. The heavy airstrikes, including around Damascus airport, were the first military action by Israel after the announcement of the U.S. decision to withdraw its troops from Syria. Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday, who is also in Brazil to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Jair Bolsonaro, to discuss developments in the Middle East, particularly the consequences of the withdrawal of American troops from Syria. Israeli media quoted a senior official from the Prime Minister's Office as saying that in a recent phone call with Donald Trump, Netanyahu "convinced him to slow down the process of withdrawing American troops from Syria," and Trump considered this request "positively." Netanyahu expressed "regret" over the lack of progress in peace negotiations with the Palestinians, but justified this by alluding to the relationship of the Hamas organization ruling Gaza with Iran, alongside the strengthening of more extremist Islamists than Hamas in Gaza, stating, "Iran and ISIS's weapons are at the temples of half of the Palestinians." A day before Netanyahu's remarks, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, expressed "confidence" that the establishment of a "Palestinian state in Tel Aviv will be realized." In this context, the commander of the Israeli army's intelligence warned about Iran's influence in Iraq. The U.S. "supports Israel's right to defend itself against Iran's regional actions." Khamenei: The establishment of a Palestinian government in Tel Aviv will be realized. Iran protested Brazil's decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem. Netanyahu: I will not resign, but a blow to the right-wing in the elections is a danger. Severe government repression and the risk of "going underground" for protests. What doctors and eyewitnesses recount about the injured in the protests. The limitations of relations between China and Iran amid protests.