Benjamin Netanyahu claimed victory after a 12-day conflict with Iran, stating Israel had eliminated Iran’s ballistic missiles and nuclear program. He said in March 2026 that war with Iran was something he had longed to do for 40 years. According to CNN, Netanyahu declared this victory would stand for decades. Al Jazeera reported that Israel went to war with Iran. Yair Lapid said a potential agreement between Iran and the United States would fail to achieve Israel’s stated war objectives. Lapid described the emerging U.S.-Iran deal as a disaster and said negotiations did not include Israel. He added that Israel must maintain freedom of action regardless of any such agreement. Iran has long maintained it is not trying to obtain nuclear weapons, according to AP News. Netanyahu has been in court since 2020 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, according to The Atlantic. He attempted to undermine Israel’s judiciary and pressured President Isaac Herzog to grant him a pardon. Lapid and Naftali Bennett announced their parties will run together in the upcoming elections, according to AP News.