Ankara: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed on Sunday that joint military operations with the US have crippled Iran's nuclear ambitions "quite a bit," pushing the program back several years.

According to Anadolu Agency, Netanyahu revealed in an interview with Fox News that the collaborative efforts with the United States led to the elimination of 20 top Iranian nuclear scientists, thereby severely degrading Tehran's nuclear capabilities. Despite these achievements, he emphasized the need for the international community to remain vigilant to prevent any resurgence of the program.

Netanyahu issued a stern warning that any direct strikes or proxy attacks from Iran targeting Israel would be met with a "very, very forceful" response. This assertion underscores Israel's stance on maintaining a strong defense posture in the region.

The prime minister also expressed his support for US President Donald Trump's strategy of linking Saudi Arabia's civilian nuclear aspirations to its involvement in the Abraham Accords. Netanyahu conveyed his eagerness to extend normalization efforts to Riyadh, highlighting past agreements with several Arab nations as a foundation for future cooperation.

In addressing perceptions of Israel's isolation, Netanyahu dismissed such claims, pointing out the growing interest from nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East in Israeli technology and military partnerships.

Netanyahu is scheduled to visit Washington next week to attend the funeral of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. During his visit, he is expected to engage in discussions with the US president, potentially covering topics of mutual interest and security cooperation.