Netanyahu says Trump is in full control of Iran war, denies influencing strikes after DC meeting

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that U.S. President Donald Trump holds complete authority over the war with Iran, characterizing their relationship as one where Trump is the "senior partner." Speaking after a meeting in Washington, Netanyahu denied allegations that he had pressured Trump to engage in or escalate the conflict, stating firmly, "nobody tells President Trump what to do."

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No, I didn't mislead anything... nobody tells President Trump what to do.

Netanyahu reaffirmed his belief in Trump's leadership within the U.S.-Israeli partnership, emphasizing his own role as prime minister is to advocate for Israel's interests and security. He expressed deep appreciation for the United States' support under Trump against their "common enemy." The closed-door meeting reportedly covered various strategies for ending the war, including diplomatic negotiations with Iranian officials, the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, and the necessity of further military action.

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I'm the prime minister of Israel, and when I have to stand up for the interest of my country and the security of my country, I do so.

Despite claiming that Iran is currently weaker than it has ever been, Netanyahu maintained a degree of skepticism regarding the possibility of a diplomatic resolution with the Iranian regime. He characterized Iran as a deceptive entity that "always lie, they always cheat, and they always play for time," suggesting that diplomatic and economic pressure might be worth attempting.

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But I always do so with a deep appreciation of the role that the United States under President Trump has played in joining forces with us against our common enemy that wants to destroy us both.

Addressing questions about the Strait of Hormuz, Netanyahu acknowledged the difficulty in predicting Iran's potential actions regarding the waterway's commercial flow. However, he expressed confidence that the strait's significance in the oil market would diminish post-war. He suggested that alternative energy routes, such as pipelines to the Red Sea and then to Israel's Mediterranean coast, could bypass the chokehold, stating, "We can unblock this chokehold, and we will."

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They always lie, they always cheat, and they always play for time. Could that, within sufficient pressure - diplomatic, economic pressure - could that change? Give it a try.