Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he did not attempt to persuade U.S. President Donald Trump to launch a strike on Iran, adding that no one dictates to Trump what to do. The remarks, reported by Israeli media, come amid ongoing tensions between the two leaders over Iran policy.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Thursday that he did not attempt to persuade President Donald Trump to strike Iran, and that no one tells Trump what to do. The statement, reported by ynet, marks the latest in a series of public exchanges between the two leaders over Iran policy.
Netanyahu's remarks come against a backdrop of ongoing friction between Jerusalem and Washington regarding the U.S. diplomatic track with Tehran. Over the past weeks, Trump has publicly pressed Netanyahu to accept an American deal with Iran, reportedly telling the New York Times that Netanyahu should be grateful for U.S. efforts and that without American intervention Israel would not survive two hours against a nuclear Iran. Trump also told the Financial Times that Netanyahu 'will have to accept' a pending deal, asserting that 'I determine the matters, not him.'
Netanyahu, for his part, has previously criticized U.S. strikes on Iran as unnecessary, and has acknowledged that sometimes he needs to 'calm down' Trump. The latest statement appears to push back against perceptions that Netanyahu is trying to influence Trump's military decisions regarding Iran.
2 developments
- DevelopingIsraeli official: Netanyahu did not advance specific Iran strategy in Trump meeting, only 'exchange of ideas'
- DevelopingTrump told Netanyahu in advance he would not strike Iran, new call details show
- StrongSenior official: Netanyahu-Trump meeting 'very positive,' Iran nuclear consensus reaffirmed
- DevelopingSenior Israeli official: Netanyahu told Trump he understands his Iran efforts but Israel must not be a victim
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