Netanyahu rejects claims of Trump influence, defines US-Israel relations under Iran deal: ‘We stand behind our own interests’ | Today’s news
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the JNS summit in Jerusalem that claims suggesting he either controls US President Donald Trump or vice versa are inaccurate. He emphasized that Israel and the United States are independent states whose leaders act in accordance with their own national interests.
Netanyahu has said his priority is Israel’s security and interests, adding that while he and Trump often agree on key issues, they do not always share the same views. However, he emphasized that the two leaders respect each other’s sovereignty, leadership and commitment to their peoples.
“In the United States they say President Trump does everything I ask him to do. And in Israel they say I do everything he wants me to do. Well, neither is true. We are leaders of independent and proud countries. We stand up for our interests. I stand up for Israel’s interests and for its security. We often see eye to eye. Sometimes not. But we respect each other’s sovereignty and commitment to any people of Netah.”
“We didn’t just confront Iran. We broke Iran’s terrorist axis
Reflecting on Israel’s cooperation with the United States, Netanyahu said that Israeli forces, along with the US Air Force and the US Army, had carried out what he called the largest air operation in Israel’s history. He also claimed that the joint campaign caused significant damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and capabilities.
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“Together with our American friends, the US Air Force and the US Army, we carried out the largest air strike in our history. We destroyed Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. But we didn’t just face Iran. We broke Iran’s axis of terror,” Netanyahu said.
In response to ongoing diplomatic efforts, Netanyahu referred to the US-Iranian technical talks in Switzerland, which are taking place under the 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). He asserted that Israel’s determination to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons would remain unchanged regardless of the outcome of the negotiations.
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“I said, no matter what happens in the talks, with or without a deal, I promise you that as long as I am prime minister of Israel, Iran will never have a nuclear weapon. Never. As long as I am prime minister of Israel, I will not allow that to happen,” he said.
Netanyahu also reaffirmed Israel’s position on maintaining a military presence in southern Lebanon, saying such a deployment is necessary to protect Israeli citizens.
“And I said something else about Lebanon and I will repeat it here a few minutes ago: as long as we have to protect our people, we will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon. And the reason is completely understandable. No country would be asked to do otherwise,” the Israeli prime minister said.
He emphasized that Israel’s dispute is with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group, not the Lebanese state, and said he hoped a path to peace with Lebanon could emerge if Hezbollah stopped threatening Israel’s security.
Read also | War in Lebanon casts shadow over renewed Iran-US nuclear talks
His remarks came as the first round of US-Iranian technical talks wrapped up in Switzerland, with discussions focused on preserving the ceasefire in Lebanon, keeping the Strait of Hormuz open to international shipping and progressing talks on a possible nuclear deal.
“We are doing everything we can to protect our people. We are not at war with Lebanon. We are at war with Hezbollah, which is terrorizing Lebanon and seeking our destruction. And when this proxy of Iran is no longer a threat, whether it is dismantled or disarmed, yes, we will have peace with Lebanon and I look forward to signing it,” Netanyahu said.
Earlier, at a memorial event marking the 50th anniversary of his brother Yoni Netanyahu’s death, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel remains firmly committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and will continue military operations aimed at countering Hezbollah’s presence in southern Lebanon.
