Israel is systematically damaging Iran's national infrastructure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a Tuesday cabinet meeting.
"We have damaged 70% of their steel production capacity," Netanyahu said, emphasizing that "with a few dozen weapons, we have reduced their GDP by 2-3%."
"This is damage worth billions of dollars. The damage to their energy capabilities frightens them greatly and undermines the regime."
Netanyahu also addressed the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the US can “handle this by force. They can be bypassed by diverting the energy pipelines from Iran to Israel via Saudi Arabia."
"The Iran of today is not the Iran of 30 days ago. There is no comparison," he affirmed, adding that the current situation constitutes "a rare opportunity for a broad regional alliance with Arab and neighboring countries."
EU president calls on Iran to de-escalate, urges diplomacy
European Council President Antonio Costa said in a Tuesday post to X/Twitter that he urged Iran to stop attacking other countries in the region and de-escalate in order to protect the lives of civilians in a phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
"The current situation in the Middle East is extremely dangerous," Costa wrote. "Today, in my phone call with the President of Iran, @DrPezeshkian, I urged for de-escalation and restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and the need for all parties to fully respect international law."
"The loss of innocent lives, including in the Minab school, is deeply regrettable."
"There must be space for diplomacy. The EU stands ready to contribute to all diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and for a lasting solution to end the hostilities, while addressing the broader security concerns posed by Iran," he concluded his post.