Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has directed the military to intensify its campaign against Iran’s weapons infrastructure, ordering that as much of the country’s arms industry as possible be destroyed within 48 hours, according to a report published Tuesday by The New York Times.

The directive came after Netanyahu reviewed a copy of the United States’ proposed 15-point framework aimed at ending the war, the report said.

Responding on Monday to President Trump’s comments about ongoing contacts with Iranian officials, Netanyahu made clear that Israel would continue acting to protect its own security interests regardless of any diplomatic developments involving Washington.

“Earlier today, I spoke with our friend, President Trump. He believes there is an opportunity to leverage the tremendous achievements of the IDF and the US military in order to achieve the objectives of the war through an agreement that will preserve our vital interests,” Netanyahu said.

He added, “At the same time, we continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon, dismantling the missile and nuclear program piece by piece, and continuing to deal severe blows to Hezbollah.”

“Just a few days ago, we eliminated two more nuclear scientists, and more actions are forthcoming. We will safeguard our vital interests under all circumstances,” the Prime Minister concluded.

Meanwhile, Reuters and The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Iran has rejected the American proposal and has reverted to its earlier demands—conditions Washington had already dismissed before the war began.

Iranian officials also publicly derided the diplomatic effort. Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesman for the Revolutionary Guard’s emergency command, mocked the U.S. president’s approach, saying he is “negotiating with himself.”

{Matzav.com}