Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said there will be no Palestinian state controlled by Iran while he remains in office.

Netanyahu made the remarks while reiterating his opposition to any political arrangement that could allow Iran or groups aligned with Tehran to gain control over a future Palestinian state.

He said Israel would not accept a situation in which its security could be threatened by a Palestinian entity controlled or influenced by Iran.

The Israeli leader has consistently maintained that any future Palestinian arrangement must not compromise Israel’s security or allow armed groups hostile to Israel to maintain military capabilities.

His comments come amid continued international debate over the future governance of the Palestinian territories and efforts to find a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Netanyahu has faced pressure from international actors over the question of Palestinian statehood, while also maintaining that Israel must retain responsibility for its security.

He said Israel would continue to take measures to prevent what he described as threats from Iran and its regional allies.

The issue of Palestinian statehood remains one of the most contentious aspects of the conflict, with several countries supporting a two-state solution while Israel’s government remains divided over the form and conditions of any future Palestinian state.