In an exclusive interview with Axios, U.S. President Donald Trump offered unusual behind-the-scenes remarks about the war with Iran and his relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Parts of the interview, conducted by journalist Marc Caputo and published Friday, included blunt comments about both allies and enemies. Asked about Netanyahu, Trump said, “Bibi is fine,” then added, “We had to keep him sane.” Caputo said the implication was that Netanyahu had become somewhat unhinged amid the negotiations and understandings with Iran.
Trump also claimed he could direct Israel’s military moves. He said he intervened to prevent Israel from attacking Lebanon and insisted the Israelis would do what he ordered because “Israel loves me.” He said this while discussing the broader regional campaign and the Iran war.
On the limits of American power, Trump rejected the idea that he had learned any lesson. Asked what he took away about those limits, he replied, “There are no limits. I still have not learned that lesson.” He said the United States had “completely defeated them militarily” through a tight naval blockade and described the agreement reached with Iran as effectively a “total surrender.” He boasted that no ship managed to get through the blockade for long.
Trump said he ended the fighting for economic reasons. In his view, continuing the bombing for two or three more weeks could have closed the Strait of Hormuz, halted oil flow for months, and triggered a global recession. He said, “The only way I can be tougher is if I go in there for another two or three weeks and keep bombing them... That’s the kind of thing that can cause a global depression.” The article also noted that Trump, in remarks broadcast partly on CNN, claimed there had been a change of regime in Iran, arguing that because “Khamenei the son” replaced his father after the latter was killed in an Israeli-American strike, the leadership was different. Vice President JD Vance also criticized Israeli officials who attacked Trump, saying they should not attack “the only leader in the world who supports you.”
