Netanyahu to Fox News: The Islamic Republic is seeking to rebuild its ballistic missile capabilities

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel who is visiting the United States, stated in an interview aired on Fox News on Tuesday that the Islamic Republic is moving towards the production of ballistic missiles again. Israel targeted the Islamic Republic's missile facilities during this year's 12-day war and severely damaged them. Military and political officials in Israel have previously stated that Israel, by maintaining its air superiority achieved during the 12-day war, will not allow the Islamic Republic to rebuild its missile capabilities and nuclear facilities. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, responded on Monday to a question about whether he would support an Israeli attack on the Islamic Republic if it continued to develop its missile and nuclear program, saying: 'If it's a missile program, definitely yes, and if it's a nuclear program, very quickly!' Mr. Netanyahu also told Fox News that the leaders of the United States and Israel are 'like-minded' and their cooperation is based on this. Mr. Netanyahu stated that the U.S. has not had a better friend in the White House than Donald Trump. During the 12-day war, the U.S. assisted Israel in targeting missiles and drones launched by the Islamic Republic and bombed the nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Mr. Trump has stated that the Islamic Republic was very close to developing nuclear weapons. While the Islamic Republic has developed its nuclear program, it has repeatedly stated that its goal is the 'destruction' of Israel. In another part of this interview, the Israeli Prime Minister said that President Trump 'understands that when you are fighting terrorists who want to kill you, you either kill them first or react by killing them.' Mr. Netanyahu added: 'If Hamas is disarmed, there is a possibility of forming a new government in Gaza,' but 'if Hamas remains armed, no one will enter there' because 'they will shoot a bullet in your back.' The Israeli Prime Minister also said that Hamas has committed to disarm, but still has about 20,000 armed with Kalashnikov rifles. Live coverage | Press conference of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu after their meeting in Florida Trump: The prestige of the Islamic Republic has been weakened; I don't want to use the word humiliation Trump: I am ready to negotiate; the Islamic Republic did not believe that war would happen Live coverage | Meeting of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida Trump's warning to the Islamic Republic: I don't want to waste fuel for the B-2 bomber to fly again Trump: The people of Iran are dissatisfied with the government; if they protest, they will be killed.