NEED TO KNOW

  • Netanyahu told 60 Minutes Iran's enriched uranium can be removed "physically."
  • Trump told Congress Friday hostilities have "terminated," dodging the War Powers deadline.
  • Iran sent a response to the latest U.S. peace proposal the same day.

WASHINGTON (TDR) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CBS's 60 Minutes the joint U.S.-Israeli war on Iran is "not over" and Tehran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium can be removed "physically." The comments contradict President Trump's letter to Congress days earlier declaring the war terminated.

The big picture: Two leaders are publicly describing the same war in incompatible terms.

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10

  • Netanyahu told CBS chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett the war "accomplished a great deal, but it's not over," citing remaining uranium, enrichment sites, proxies, and missiles.
  • Trump's May 8 letter to Speaker Johnson said hostilities "have terminated," dodging War Powers' 60-day deadline.
  • Iran sent its response to the latest U.S. peace proposal Sunday, according to state media, with talks ongoing through Pakistani mediation.

Why it matters: The Constitution puts war-making with Congress; War Powers requires presidential authorization within 60 days. Trump's "terminated" framing exists to defeat that deadline. Netanyahu's keeps options open for further strikes.

  • The Senate has rejected six attempts to halt the war under War Powers procedures.
  • U.S. gasoline is up 52% since the war began February 28, with diesel near $6 per gallon.
  • Operation Epic Fury formally concluded May 5; Trump's letter still says the Iran threat "remains significant."

Driving the news: Netanyahu's 60 Minutes excerpt put words in Trump's mouth that contradict his public posture. "What President Trump has said to me, 'I want to go in there,' and I think it can be done physically," Netanyahu said.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE THE DUPREE REPORT

Following ongoing debates over border security and immigration policy in 2026, do you support stricter enforcement measures?

By completing the poll, you agree to receive emails from The Dupree Report, occasional offers from our partners and that you've read and agree to our privacy policy and legal statement.
  • Trump's State of the Union framed Iran's nuclear program as "obliterated" while threatening renewed strikes.
  • A DIA assessment found Iran moved much of its uranium before U.S. strikes hit, setting back the program by months, not years.
  • Energy Secretary Chris Wright told Face the Nation that "the ending of the Iranian nuclear programme is a different matter, and that's what still needs to be achieved."

What they're saying:

  • Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel — "It's not over, because there's still nuclear material that has to be taken out of Iran."
  • Donald Trump, May 8 letter to Congress — "The hostilities that began on February 28, 2026, have terminated."
  • Chris Wright, U.S. Energy Secretary — "The ending of the Iranian nuclear programme is a different matter."

Yes, but: Netanyahu's framing solves a political problem for Israel that Trump's framing creates for the White House. Both leaders may be telling their domestic audiences what each needs to hear.

  • Trump faces domestic pressure to end the war amid surging fuel prices and the Hormuz crisis.
  • Netanyahu's coalition needs the war narrative open-ended; "mission accomplished" closes options his cabinet wants kept open.
  • Witkoff and Kushner have been accused by a Gulf diplomat of acting in Israeli interests during U.S.-Iran negotiations.

Between the lines: When two allied leaders contradict each other on whether a shared war is over, three things could be happening: they're miscommunicating, one is freelancing, or both are managing separate audiences with stories that can't both be true. Trump needs "terminated" to make a War Powers problem disappear; Netanyahu needs "not over" to keep enrichment sites on the target list and his coalition together. The unanswered question is which version Iran is reading right now, with its proposal response sitting in Washington. Tehran's calculus changes dramatically depending on whether it's negotiating with a president winding down the war or one whose closest ally is publicly quoting him as wanting to "go in there."

What's next:

  • Iran's response to the U.S. proposal is being reviewed in Washington; talks remain Pakistani-mediated.
  • Trump's "terminated" claim forecloses Congressional action on War Powers but keeps the door open for renewed strikes.
  • Netanyahu's full 60 Minutes interview airs Sunday evening; further excerpts may sharpen the daylight.

If two allies running the same war can't agree publicly on whether it's over, who's actually setting the terms, and who pays if they get it wrong?

Sources

This report was compiled using reporting from CBS News, The Times of Israel, PBS NewsHour, CNN, The National, NBC News, and Al Arabiya.

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10