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PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: Do you know how many times I've been in this room?
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH: You'd have to tell me.
PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: I'd say 40, 50 times.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH: Possibly more than me.
PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: But not with that picture on the wall.
Not with that picture on the wall.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH: Not with that picture, not without Erik Kurilla down there at the end of the table, not with him.
PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: Thank you, absolute thanks, gratitude and admiration for CENTCOM. for the US military, for the Secretary of Defense and the President of the United States. Magnificent. You have the gratitude of the people of Israel and the state of Israel, and I think of many, many others around the world. So, first thing is thank you.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH: Well, thank you. And I appreciate — there's a reason I pointed at Eric, and I know you recognize him too because the skill and the bravery and the courage of US forces involved in that operation, including in the defense of Israel, whether it was in the Mediterranean or with THAAD batteries or others was incredible.
And so, CENTCOM played a — he did it in his own quiet way, but just incredibly effective. And so, it was an honor to be a part of it. And what you — after 60 days of negotiation — President Trump was very clear, after 60 days he gave them every opportunity and then Operation Rising Lion took place. And the skill of your professionals, what was accomplished was absolutely incredible.
The precision with which you went at the nuclear capabilities and then the opportunity we had through those B-2 pilots, the F-32 — or F-35, F-22, F-15 pilots that accompanied the refuelers to help put the finishing touches, you might say, on those facilities, it was an honor to be a part of it. Appreciate your partnership, the leadership of your team sending a message to the world, not just to Iran, not just to them and their nuclear capabilities, but those B-2 pilots sent a message to the world as well.
PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: They gird the globe. I think the entire world took note. I think Iran took note. I think everybody in the Middle East took note of American resolve and of the strength of our alliance. I think it was a — frankly it was like the roar of two lions, and it was heard around the world. So, thank you again, and our admiration for everything that you did. And our appreciation for and gratitude. Thank you.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH: The feeling is mutual, we appreciate it. Thank you for being a friend, a model ally and showing leadership and strength. You can have a lot of allies and then you have allies with capabilities that actually execute on the front lines, and what you did was spectacular. So, thank you for being here.
PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU: Well, the heroism of our pilots, of our soldiers and frankly the heroism of our people, the heroism of the people, you get the strength from the people as you do. So, we are blessed with two great free societies that have joined together and — but your role I think is historic and will have historic consequences for peace.
I will say that President Trump and I always talk about peace through strength, first comes strength then comes the peace. And we hope we'll realize the fruits of strength very soon in peace.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PETE HEGSETH: And I can attest to that being privy to not all but many of those conversations. It does start with strength, but it always goes to peace, and we have that opportunity in the region because of your efforts and the efforts of our president. So, thank you. Thank you. Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you very much.
