Asked about tensions between Israel and Turkey, U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not foresee a military conflict between the two countries while he is president, citing a strong personal relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. 'I like him very much and he respects me,' Trump said, according to Israeli media reports.
President Trump again downplayed the risk of a military confrontation between Israel and Turkey, responding to a reporter's question at an event on Tuesday. 'I don't think it will happen as long as I am president, because Erdoğan respects me and I respect him,' he said. The remark follows a series of statements by the president this week regarding Turkey and the wider regional standoff with Iran. As The Zioneer reported earlier on Tuesday, Trump called Erdoğan a 'good friend' and said 'nothing will happen with Turkey' while he is in office. The president also addressed the Iran nuclear talks, saying he believes Tehran wants a deal but 'we will see.' Commentators have noted that Trump's personal rapport with Erdoğan shapes his approach to Turkish-Israeli tensions, even as Ankara has stepped up rhetoric against Israel over the Gaza war. Some Israeli analysts have expressed concern that Erdoğan is leveraging his relationship with Trump to limit Israeli military operations against Iran's proxies. Trump has not indicated any change in policy toward Turkey, nor any pressure on Israel to alter its security posture.
5 developments
- ConfirmedTrump says Netanyahu will do what he tells him, claims Israel won't return to war with Iran
- ConfirmedTrump: Iran played 'very stupid' US presidents; deflects Turkey-Israel conflict question
- StrongTrump says Israel not involved in strikes on Iran
- DevelopingTrump says he would call Erdoğan if he heard anti-Semitic remarks, calls him a 'friend'
Source and signal
- Internal intake