WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains aligned with his directives regarding potential military operations against Iran.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday (May 20), President Trump was questioned about a telephone conversation he held with Netanyahu the previous day. Trump described the Israeli leader as a “very good man,” adding, “He will do what I want him to do. He is a great person… don’t forget, he is a wartime prime minister.”
Netanyahu has long emphasized his close relationship with Trump, frequently crediting the former president for key pro-Israel U.S. policy shifts. However, this proximity has become a source of domestic criticism, with some political opponents arguing that the Prime Minister fails to exert sufficient influence over the U.S. leader.
This development follows remarks made by Trump in March, where he suggested that concluding the conflict involving Iran would be a “joint decision” between himself and Netanyahu. Reports indicated that the subsequent ceasefire announcement caught Jerusalem somewhat by surprise.
Despite the complexities of their alliance, Trump has thus far avoided direct public criticism of Netanyahu. Reports have even suggested that Trump has lobbied Israeli President Isaac Herzog to grant the Prime Minister clemency regarding his ongoing corruption trials.
Netanyahu continues to advocate for a robust posture against Iran, maintaining that the primary objectives regarding Tehran’s nuclear and missile programs, as well as its support for regional proxies, remain unfulfilled. While he has not explicitly rejected diplomatic pathways, he remains skeptical of Tehran’s sincerity in negotiations.
Meanwhile, according to a report by the U.S. media outlet Axios, during Tuesday’s call, Trump briefed Netanyahu on new mediation efforts led by several Arab and Muslim nations aimed at facilitating a potential agreement between the United States and Iran.
