Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu said Thursday night that Israel’s controversial draft law remains on the government’s agenda and will be brought forward once the current war ends, explaining that the legislation has only been postponed due to the ongoing conflict.

Netanyahu made the remarks during a press conference — his first since the war with Iran began 13 days ago — where he addressed questions about the regional military campaign, the security situation along Israel’s northern border, and political issues at home.

The prime minister said that Israel and the United States have achieved significant successes in the conflict, strengthening Israel’s position both regionally and internationally. He noted that following Operation “Am KeLavi,” he and President Donald Trump warned the Iranian regime not to attempt to rebuild its missile and nuclear programs.

According to Netanyahu, despite those warnings, Tehran moved quickly to restore its capabilities and worked to conceal development facilities deep underground and beneath mountainous terrain. He said that had Israel not acted when it did, those capabilities could soon have become immune to military strikes.

Netanyahu also addressed the succession of Iran’s supreme leader, referring to Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed the position after his father’s death. The prime minister described him as “a puppet of the Revolutionary Guards who cannot show his face in public,” adding that he would not “take out a life insurance policy on any of the leaders of the region.”

Discussing the internal situation in Iran, Netanyahu said Israel is working to create conditions that could allow the Iranian people to overthrow the regime. At the same time, he acknowledged that it is impossible to predict whether such a development will occur in the near future. “Ultimately it depends on the Iranian people,” he said.

The prime minister added that Israeli forces continue to strike the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij militia while simultaneously working to strengthen regional alliances. According to Netanyahu, the conflict is already reshaping the strategic reality in the Middle East, noting that “this is not the same Iran and this is not the same Middle East.”

Turning to Hezbollah’s continued rocket fire from Lebanon, Netanyahu said Israel had previously removed a major threat along its northern border but emphasized that the group still retains what he called “residual firepower.” He said Israel has warned the Lebanese government that if it does not act against Hezbollah, Israel will do so itself.

Netanyahu was also asked about remarks made by President Trump regarding President Isaac Herzog in connection with the issue of a potential pardon in Netanyahu’s ongoing trial. The prime minister said he respects every president and does not intend to comment on statements made by an American president on the matter. Nevertheless, he reiterated his belief that the proceedings against him constitute a “politically motivated trial” and said the case should be brought to an end.

Concluding his remarks, Netanyahu addressed the ongoing political dispute over Israel’s draft law and emphasized that the government has not abandoned the legislation.

“We have not given up on the draft law,” Netanyahu said. “We have set aside all of our legislative initiatives. I hope we will be able to complete the term of this government and pass a draft law that is a very responsible law.”