Trump: Netanyahu Must Accept Any U.S.-Iran Deal; Decision Is Mine

President Donald Trump has asserted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be compelled to accept any deal the United States strikes with Iran, emphasizing that the ultimate decision-making authority lies with him. In a phone interview with the Financial Times, Trump stated, "He will have no choice." He further clarified, "The decision is mine. I make all the decisions. Netanyahu does not make the decisions."

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He will have no choice. The decision is mine. I make all the decisions. Netanyahu does not make the decisions.

These remarks come in the wake of Iran launching ballistic missiles at Israel, a retaliatory action following an Israeli airstrike on Beirut. This marks the first direct Iranian attack on Israeli territory since a ceasefire was reportedly agreed upon in April.

Trump also indicated to Fox News that he would instruct Netanyahu to exercise restraint regarding any retaliatory strikes against Iran, a stance that appears to contrast with the Israeli military's inclination towards a strong response. He downplayed the impact of Iran's recent attack, telling the Financial Times that it "didn't really hurt very much" and would not affect any potential agreement. He described the ongoing conflict as part of a larger, long-standing dispute.

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It didn't really hurt very much.

While Trump previously expressed confidence in an imminent deal with Iran, he adopted a more cautious tone in the Financial Times interview, stating, "Negotiations are proceeding, I think. We'll see how it all turns out." He reiterated that the recent attack would not be the deciding factor in the outcome, adding that "it could happen, or it might not happen."

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Negotiations are proceeding, I think. We'll see how it all turns out.