Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a press conference that Iran no longer has the capabilities to enrich uranium or produce ballistic missiles, two of Israel's main war goals, Reuters reported on March 19. However, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, cast doubt on Netanyahu's claims regarding Iran's nuclear program, saying "a lot has survived" and that Iran's highly enriched uranium still remains buried, mainly in Isfahan and some in Natanz.

Netanyahu clarified that Israel acted alone in the March 18 attack on Iran's South Pars gas field and confirmed that U.S. President Donald Trump had requested that Israel refrain from similar attacks. Media reports also indicate that Trump is considering occupying or blockading Kharg Island to forcibly open the Strait of Hormuz.