AMICHAI STEIN

Netanyahu to 'Post': I want five more terms • 'I'll form gov't with current coalition partners; Eisenkot ruled me out' • Trump's support 'surprised' PM, Israel must capitalize before tide turns in US

The upcoming selection will determine who will replace the incumbent, Antonio Guterres, as the 10th UN secretary-general. Guterres will complete his second five-year term on December 31.

"It's gonna be our government. We decide what the policy is,” Netanyahu told The Jerusalem Post. He did not name a candidate for defense minister.

PM threatens to respond with force and might if Iran makes a “big mistake,” claims Tehran was “on the verge of atomic bombs” • Full interview to be published Thursday

On Tuesday, Netanyahu described the Iranian regime as "so fanatical" that it will continue its nuclear ambitions and attempt to rebuild its terror proxy axis "as long as it lives."

Defense Minister Israel Katz reportedly attended the meeting, but IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other senior Israeli officials were not invited for confidentiality reasons.

Damascus is increasingly concerned about a potential Druze offensive in Sweida, claiming Israel is encouraging armed groups and providing military support, a senior Syrian official told the Post.

Netanyahu raised concerns about how the next Israeli prime minister would manage relations with a potentially hostile US administration.

Trump endorses PM nine days before the October 27 election, says Netanyahu "will never let you down" • US president suggests alternative leaders would leave Washington to face Iran alone

The prime minister criticized Russia's ties with Tehran and antisemitic online campaigns targeting Israel, warning that Iran could eventually seek to destabilize Russia itself.