Jerusalem, 13 April, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israel supports a U.S. naval blockade on Iran and is in “constant coordination” with Washington, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday, following the collapse of negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
Speaking at a government meeting in Jerusalem, Netanyahu backed U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose the blockade, calling it a response to Iranian violations of agreed terms. “We support President Trump’s firm stance,” he said.
Netanyahu said he spoke Sunday with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who stressed that the central issue is the removal of all enriched nuclear material and ensuring Iran does not resume enrichment for years — potentially decades.
According to Netanyahu, the crisis followed Iran’s failure to meet commitments tied to negotiations, including halting hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
“The agreement was that firing would cease and the Iranians would immediately open the straits. They did not do it. The Americans could not accept that. He also made it clear to me that the central issue on the agenda for President Trump and the US is the removal of all enriched material, and ensuring there is no more enrichment in the coming years, and this could be for decades, no enrichment inside Iran,” Netanyahu said.
He said Washington “could not tolerate” the breach, prompting the blockade decision. Netanyahu dismissed claims of Israeli-U.S. friction, describing coordination as “like never before.”
Netanyahu also addressed ongoing Israeli operations in southern Lebanon, particularly near Bint Jbeil, where forces are working to push Hezbollah away from northern communities.
“We are talking about a solid, deeper security zone that both prevents the danger of invasion and distances the anti-tank missile threat,” Netanyahu said. He added that every terrorist position near the border, “and there are many, is simply being flattened.”