Story perspectives

Netanyahu calls Iran “thugs,” warns of chemical weapons

7/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Netanyahu called Iran ‘thugs’ who killed 40,000 citizens and said Iran has chemical weapons and would murder hundreds of thousands of Americans.
He said February Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury U.S. forces targeted Iran’s nuclear threat, and credited President Donald Trump with joining because those missiles could reach U.S. with nuclear warheads.
He claimed Iran’s armed forces and economy are weaker, with roughly 80% of its 90 million citizens opposing the regime.

History

Historical Context

Israel’s pre-emptive strike doctrine began with secret actions against Iraq in the mid-1970s and the 1962 Operation Damocles, then was formalized by Prime Minister Menachem Begin in June 1981 after eight F-16s bombed Iraq’s Osirak reactor. The policy persisted under Benjamin Netanyahu, who in 2024 cites the same “anticipatory self-defence” to demand U.S. action against Iran’s nuclear program.

1 of 2

Story summary

Netanyahu called Iran ‘thugs’ who killed 40,000 citizens and said Iran has chemical weapons and would murder hundreds of thousands of Americans.
He said February Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury U.S. forces targeted Iran’s nuclear threat, and credited President Donald Trump with joining because those missiles could reach U.S. with nuclear warheads.
He claimed Iran’s armed forces and economy are weaker, with roughly 80% of its 90 million citizens opposing the regime.

1 / 2