'The end is near': Netanyahu issues chilling warning to Iran as Israel vows to finish the job
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: The latest exchange between Israel and Iran has taken a sharper turn after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a sweeping warning to Tehran on Sunday, September 6.
Speaking in Jerusalem during a government gathering for Rosh Hashanah, Netanyahu signaled that Israel does not consider its campaign against Iran complete.
His remarks came just a day after the United States struck three Iranian oil tankers, adding another dangerous layer to an already escalating confrontation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a Rosh Hashanah Toast during the Government Meeting:
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) September 6, 2026
"We are on the threshold of Rosh Hashanah, and more than ever, the State of Israel comes first. Thanks to the wise and courageous decisions we made together around this table, thanks to the… pic.twitter.com/4xbOJcsK4E
Netanyahu's blunt message to Iran
Netanyahu's address carried a noticeably defiant message for Iran, with the Israeli leader suggesting that the pressure on Tehran had reached a critical point.
“That regime in Iran, its end is near,” Netanyahu said.
He went on to describe the Iranian leadership as “weak,” “fighting for its life” and “faltering,” before making clear that Israel believes there is still unfinished business.
“There is another mission to complete, and we are determined to achieve it,” he said.
Netanyahu presented the next stage of confrontation as one in which his government intends to continue pursuing its objectives.
He said the outcome could have consequences extending well beyond the current fighting, claiming it would “permanently change the face of the Middle East and the history of our people.”
Netanyahu also used the Rosh Hashanah gathering to highlight what he described as the results of Israel's military campaign.
He credited the United States and President Trump with helping Israel confront what he called an existential threat and pointed specifically to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.
“Together with the United States, we accomplished tremendous achievements in removing an existential threat from above us,” Netanyahu said.
“We have removed atomic bombs and ballistic missiles from above us and have hit the Iranian axis with great force,” he added.
Netanyahu said Israel had emerged stronger from the confrontation and portrayed the country's military position as more powerful than before.
“Let the message to the IRGC be clear: If you shoot at two of our ships, we will impose an even higher economic cost —taking out three of yours. We will not hesitate to defend American forces, and if necessary, destroy Iran’s limited and exposed oil fleet.” — Adm. Brad Cooper,… pic.twitter.com/UGGcSGsUtd
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) September 5, 2026
US oil tanker strikes raise stakes
The timing of Netanyahu's comments is significant.
Regional military tensions intensified over the weekend after the US Central Command said American forces struck three Iranian oil tankers on Saturday.
The action followed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launching ballistic missiles toward two US Navy vessels.
Tehran, meanwhile, has already signaled that it intends to respond more forcefully to attacks on its interests.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Washington should understand that the circumstances of the conflict had changed.
He reportedly added: “From now on, any attack against Iran’s interests and security will receive a faster, heavier and more painful response.”
