Netanyahu says no Iranian-controlled Palestinian state while he is in office

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday that a Palestinian state under Iranian control would not be established for as long as he remains in office. "Neither in Gaza nor in the West Bank will there be a Palestinian state under Iranian control while I am prime minister," Netanyahu said. Netanyahu had previously stated that a Palestinian state would not be established even if normalization with Saudi Arabia were achieved. In a separate statement, he argued that the goal of a Palestinian state is the elimination of Israel, using the remarks to justify his position. "This land is ours, and we will hold on to our heritage, our land and our security," Netanyahu said. No further details on potential diplomatic responses or next steps were immediately available.