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3. Netanyahu Says Spoke With Trump, Vows to Protect Israel's Interests

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that he spoke with Donald Trump, saying that the U.S. president believed U.S.-Israeli military gains in Iran could be converted into a negotiated agreement that protects Israel's interests.

"President Trump believes there is a chance to leverage the tremendous achievements of the IDF and the U.S. military in order to realize the war's objectives in an agreement, an agreement that will safeguard our vital interests," Netanyahu said in a video statement.

"We will protect our vital interests under any circumstances," he said, adding, "At the same time, we continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon."

Netanyahu reiterated that the ongoing strikes were "crushing the missile program and the nuclear program" of Iran and also "inflicting heavy damage on Hezbollah."

"Just a few days ago we eliminated two more (Iranian) nuclear scientists, and this is not the end," he said.

Netanyahu's comments came shortly after Trump announced "very good" talks with an unnamed Iranian official.

Trump's sudden turn to diplomacy came just hours ahead of his now-postponed Monday night ultimatum for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, or else see the U.S. military "obliterate" its power plants.

Israeli Operation in Lebanon

The Israeli military announced new strikes on Beirut on Monday targeting Hezbollah sites, shortly after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said attacks against the Lebanese armed group would continue.

"The IDF has begun striking Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut," the military said in a statement.

On the other hand, the Israeli army said Monday that it had captured two Hezbollah members during ground operations in south Lebanon after they surrendered.

"During an activity to locate weapons in southern Lebanon, (Israeli) troops identified several armed Hezbollah Radwan Force terrorists who were planning to fire an anti-tank missile," the military said, referring to Hezbollah's commando force.

"After being identified, the terrorists surrendered. They were apprehended by the troops and transferred to Israeli territory for further questioning," it added.

AFP