Netanyahu Denies Pressuring Trump to Renew Strikes on Iran in ABC Interview

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied claims in an ABC interview that he tried to persuade then-US President Donald Trump to resume military strikes against Iran. Netanyahu said he presented Trump with three options regarding Tehran during their Washington meeting: negotiating a broader agreement, continuing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, or taking further military action. He emphasized that the decision was Trump's alone, calling the US "the senior partner" and himself a "junior partner" in the alliance.

Netanyahu expressed skepticism about Iran's negotiating tactics, accusing the regime of consistently lying and cheating to buy time. He also warned Iran against attacking Israel, calling such a move a "dangerous mistake" that would be met with a strong response. Regarding the possibility of regime change in Iran, Netanyahu said the regime is weaker than ever but stopped short of declaring it collapsed, stressing the shared goal with Trump of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

The interview came amid escalating tensions in the region, including concerns about Iran potentially disrupting trade through the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu said while Iran might attempt to use the strait as leverage, alternative energy routes to the Red Sea and Mediterranean could bypass such blockades. The interview also referenced a March report revealing former Mossad chief Dedi Barnea's assessment that regime change in Iran could take months, a view shared with US officials who doubted a swift popular uprising despite optimistic Israeli and American hopes.

Hours before their meeting, Trump had publicly downplayed Netanyahu's role in informing him about Iran's nuclear activities, asserting US intelligence capabilities were sufficient. Netanyahu's ABC interview clarified his stance on the alliance with the US and the strategic options discussed, while reaffirming Israel's commitment to countering Iran's nuclear ambitions and regional threats.