Netanyahu says ceasefire or not the Iran war remains unfinished and the uranium must go

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, May 10, that Israel’s conflict with Iran remains unresolved despite a fragile US-brokered ceasefire, warning that Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure and uranium stockpile remain major security concerns.

Speaking with CBS News, Netanyahu said Israel had significantly weakened Iran’s capabilities but argued more action was needed. 

His remarks come as Washington and Tehran continue indirect diplomatic contacts over a broader agreement to end hostilities. Regional tensions remain elevated amid military exchanges and maritime disruptions in the Gulf.

Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran's uranium stockpile remains key concern

Netanyahu said Iran still possesses a substantial amount of highly enriched uranium, which international nuclear monitors estimate at around 970 pounds, and argued that the issue remains central to any lasting resolution. 

“Now, we've degraded a lot of it,” Netanyahu said, referring to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, missile production capabilities and allied regional forces. “But all that is still there, and there's work to be done.”

The Israeli prime minister said Iran’s uranium stockpile should ultimately be removed from the country, describing that as the clearest way to neutralize the risk posed by Tehran’s nuclear program.

“You go in, and you take it out,” Netanyahu said when asked how that could be achieved.

He said a negotiated diplomatic agreement would be the preferred outcome if it ensured the removal of the material.

“If an agreement is reached, it would be the best way,” Netanyahu said. However, Netanyahu declined to outline what Israel’s next steps would be if negotiations failed or if Iran refused to comply.

“I’m not going to give a timetable to it, but I’m going to say that's a terrifically important mission,” he added.

Netanyahu also rejected suggestions that Israel and the United States were not aligned on Iran strategy, saying he remains in close contact with President Donald Trump as the two governments coordinate on the next phase of diplomacy and security planning.

Regional tensions persist despite ceasefire and diplomatic push

Netanyahu’s comments come as the ceasefire between the United States and Iran remains in place, though military and maritime tensions continue across the region.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard naval forces warned over the weekend that any attack on Iranian oil tankers or commercial vessels would be met with direct retaliation against US military assets and allied ships in the Gulf.

The warning followed reports from US Central Command that American forces disabled Iranian-linked vessels and intercepted attacks on naval assets near the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil transit corridors.

The United States has maintained naval pressure on Iranian ports, arguing the measures are intended to disrupt military financing and prevent escalation.

Washington has also continued to push Tehran toward a broader agreement that would address maritime security and nuclear activity.

Iran, meanwhile, has accused Washington of increasing pressure while negotiations continue through intermediaries, including Pakistan, which has been involved in facilitating communications between both sides.

Russia and Saudi Arabia have also urged renewed diplomatic engagement aimed at stabilizing the region.