Netanyahu Repeats Demand for Complete Dismantling of Iran’s Nuclear Program

Speaking at the Jewish News Syndicate policy conference in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reasserted his demand that Iran must completely dismantle its nuclear enrichment program as part of any future agreement.

“Dismantle all of Iran’s nuclear infrastructure,” Netanyahu said during his remarks, making clear that Iran’s ability to enrich uranium in any form must be eliminated. He also called for major curbs on Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities to be included in any prospective deal.

The comments come as Washington and Tehran concluded a third round of indirect nuclear talks in Oman on Saturday, alongside the start of expert-level negotiations.

Iranian officials have remained firm in rejecting demands to end uranium enrichment entirely, offering only to discuss the maximum levels of enrichment, while declaring the country’s conventional military capabilities “non-negotiable.”

The Trump Administration has sent mixed signals. While the continuation of negotiations indicates a softening of the original hardline demands made by President Donald Trump in March, senior officials have contradicted one another over whether the U.S. still seeks full dismantlement of Iran’s nuclear program or merely a reduction in enrichment levels.

Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, suggested after the first round of negotiations that the U.S. might accept Iran lowering enrichment to 3.67%, the level permitted for civilian use under the original 2015 nuclear deal. However, following political pushback, Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio reversed course, renewing demands that Iran fully dismantle its nuclear program.

Meanwhile, a recent New York Times report revealed that Israel has been lobbying the Trump Administration to support an Israeli military strike against Iran—an option President Trump has pointedly refused to rule out should talks ultimately collapse.