Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu detailed recent strikes on Iranian steel production facilities during an interview on Newsmax on March 30, 2026, framing them as a direct blow to the military capabilities of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. When asked about the targeting of steel plants following the destruction of much of Iran’s air force and navy, Netanyahu explained that these facilities are under the control of the IRGC, which he described as the terror apparatus dominating Iran and generating revenue used to produce missiles and other weapons.
Netanyahu:
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 30, 2026
We knocked out about 70% of Iran’s steel capacity. pic.twitter.com/ma5tguulog
Netanyahu emphasized the scale of the impact, stating, “We knocked out about 70% of Iran’s steel capacity. You’re really attacking the war machine of the Revolutionary Guards.” He drew a historical parallel, comparing the IRGC and Basij forces to the SS stormtroopers of the Nazi regime, noting that while the Wehrmacht represented the regular army, the SS served as the regime’s elite enforcers who terrorized their own population. In his view, striking these steel plants disrupts a key economic pillar that sustains the IRGC’s operations.
The strategy Netanyahu highlighted involves systematically dismantling Iran’s military infrastructure. Israeli and allied efforts have focused on degrading command structures, air defenses, naval assets, and now critical industrial sites that feed into weapons manufacturing. By targeting elements tied directly to the Revolutionary Guards, the campaign aims to weaken the regime’s ability to sustain prolonged conflict and support proxy forces.
This approach reflects a broader push to not only neutralize immediate threats but also erode the financial and industrial base underpinning Iran’s war machine. Netanyahu noted signs of internal strain, adding that the strikes have contributed to growing dissension within Iran, with regime figures reportedly discussing the situation among themselves.