Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Arab countries viewed Israelinfo-icon as an "indispensable ally" fighting Iraninfo-icon and the militant Islamic Stateinfo-icon group.

That evaluation, he told Brazilinfo-icon's Globo TVinfo-icon during a visit to Rio, has caused "a revolution in relations with the Arab worldinfo-icon."

The comments came as Israel has stepped up air strikes on Iranian positions in neighboring Syriainfo-icon, and as Israel digested an abrupt decision by President Donald Trumpinfo-icon to withdraw USinfo-icon troops from Syria.

Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that Iran is trying to develop nuclear weaponsinfo-icon to destroy his country.

"Unfortunately we have not made any advance with the Palestinians. Half of them are already under the gun of Iran and of radical Islam," Netanyahu added.

Asked if he could ever contemplate sitting down with an Iranian leader to talk peace, Netanyahu replied: "If Iran remains committed to our destruction the answer is no."

The only way, he said, would be "if Iran undergoes a total transformation."

Netanyahu was in Brazil to attend Tuesday's inauguration of the Latin American country's new, pro-Israel president, Jair Bolsonaro.

On the sidelines of the ceremony, Netanyahu was to hold talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who is also among the visiting dignitaries.

They were expected to discuss the US troop pullout from Syria and Iranian activities in the Middle Eastinfo-icon.