Donald Trump warns Netanyahu ‘you may be by yourself very quickly’ over Israel-Iran battle
US President Donald Trump has issued another warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling him that he may be fighting alone if Israel goes back to war with Iran
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (file image)
US President Donald Trump has delivered another stark warning to long-standing ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu.
Trump reportedly called Netanyahu and cautioned that he could find himself battling alone if Israel returned to conflict with Iran.
The Middle East has witnessed a series of retaliatory strikes since February 28, when the US and Israel launched coordinated assaults on Iran.
Iran hit back by targeting locations throughout the region and shutting down the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, causing chaos in global markets.
Trump revealed to Axios in an interview published on Monday, June 8: “I said, ‘Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon’.”
His caution follows Israel’s defiance of Trump’s instructions not to strike Iran after the Arab state unleashed a volley of missiles on Sunday, marking the most serious escalation since a temporary ceasefire was negotiated in April.
Trump’s ultimatum appears to have proved effective.
Netanyahu announced on Monday that his nation is postponing strikes on Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon “for now”.
Iran “tried to dictate a new equation, one that we cannot accept”, he declared in a televised address. “And after we targeted the terrorist regime in Iran, they stopped their attacks against us.”
Netanyahu cautioned that if “they commit another error and strike us again, we will respond harshly simply because we have the right to defend ourselves”.
Trump’s ultimatum marks the latest disagreement between the two leaders. He has consistently warned Netanyahu against defying his commands.
The Financial Times reported on Sunday that Trump, in an interview, said: “He won’t have any choice. I call the shots. I call all the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots.”
He was referring to the conditions of a long-term peace agreement with Iran.
Trump also told Fox News that he would instruct Netanyahu to abstain from retaliatory measures against Iran, which Netanyahu disregarded.
Last week, Trump reportedly told the prime minister, “You’re f***ing crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me.”
“I’m saving your a**. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”
