Netanyahu Denies Pressuring Trump to Renew Military Strikes on Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied claims in an interview with ABC News that he pressured U.S. President Donald Trump to resume military attacks on Iran during their recent meeting in Washington. Netanyahu clarified that he presented Trump with three different strategic options for dealing with the Iranian regime but emphasized that the final decision rests solely with the American president.

Netanyahu described the U.S.-Israel alliance as close but stressed that the United States is the senior partner, calling himself a "junior partner" in the relationship. He stated that as Israel’s prime minister, he firmly advocates for his country’s security interests whenever necessary.

During the interview, Netanyahu revealed that the options discussed with Trump included negotiating a broader agreement with Iranian officials, tightening the blockade around the Strait of Hormuz, or undertaking additional military actions. He expressed deep skepticism about diplomatic efforts with Iran, accusing the regime of consistently lying and stalling to buy time.

Addressing Iran’s internal stability, Netanyahu noted the regime is currently in a weakened geopolitical position but stopped short of declaring it on the verge of collapse. He reiterated the shared goal with Trump of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Netanyahu also issued a stern warning to Tehran, stating that any Iranian attack on Israeli territory or citizens would provoke a strong and decisive Israeli response. "If they choose to attack Israel, it will be a grave and dangerous mistake on their part," he said.

The interview underscores the close coordination between Israel and the U.S. on Iran policy while highlighting Netanyahu’s cautious stance on diplomatic solutions and readiness for military action if necessary.