Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday publicly defended the joint United States–Israeli military strikes on Iran, saying the operation was essential not only for the safety of Israel and the United States but also for the wider world. He made the remarks in an interview on Fox News, describing the offensive as a defence against what he called “theological thuggery.”

Netanyahu said that the strikes were part of a broader offensive known as Operation Epic Fury (also referred to as Roaring Lion) and insisted that it was right to act against Iran because of its decades-long hostility. He said that protecting humanity, the United States, Israel and the “free world” from what he described as dangerous religious extremism was justified.

“It’s not a terrible thing to protect humanity, to protect America, to protect Israel, to protect the free world from this theological thuggery,” Netanyahu said, referring to Iran and its leaders.

Netanyahu accused Iran of long-standing aggression, saying it had chanted “death to America” for many years, killed and wounded thousands of Americans, bombed embassies and even attempted to assassinate former US President Donald Trump twice. He described the regime’s actions as spreading terror and violence across the globe.

He took the opportunity during the interview to highly praise Trump’s leadership, saying there had never been a president like him. Netanyahu highlighted Trump’s decisiveness, clarity of thought and ability to focus on what needed to be done.

“There’s never been a President like Donald J. Trump. His resoluteness, his decisiveness, his clarity of thinking — the way he gets right to the crux of things … he cuts through all the fluff, cuts through the chase, gets down to the main point, and gets down to the main action that needs to be taken,” he said.

Netanyahu added that Trump had helped restore the United States to its position as a global leader and that both Israel and the “free world” were fortunate to have him in that role.

“I think for Israel and I think for the countries of the free world, let me tell you, I think for the world. We’re very lucky to have him as the leader of the free world, and in fact the leader of world. He’s brought America back to being the leader the world,” Netanyahu said.

When discussing the nature of the military action, Netanyahu told Fox News that this fight was not intended to be unending. He called it a step toward peace, saying that while there was serious danger, it was necessary to act.

“This is not an endless war, this is a gateway to peace. There is great danger and it’s time to act,” he said.

Netanyahu’s defence of the strikes comes as tensions remain high in the Middle East following the launch of Operation Epic Fury by US and Israeli forces, which has led to significant military actions against Iranian targets.

Iran has responded to the attacks with its own military actions, and there is growing concern about wider regional escalation as world leaders continue to call for diplomatic solutions and de-escalation.

In his remarks, Netanyahu reiterated his belief that the joint offensive was justified and necessary to counter what he sees as an existential threat from Iran and to protect not just Israel and the United States, but the entire global community from violence and extremism.