Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismisses claims that he and U.S. President Donald Trump control each other’s decisions, saying both leaders act independently in the interests of their own countries. In comments reported by Indian outlets, Netanyahu argues that in the United States people say Trump follows him, while in Israel people say he follows Trump, and he rejects both characterizations. He adds that Israel and the U.S. often align on priorities, but may sometimes disagree while still respecting each country’s sovereignty.
Netanyahu also reiterates Israel’s position on Iran, saying Israel remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He attributes Israel’s past ability to thwart Iran’s nuclear ambitions to Israeli military actions and describes efforts as having damaged Iran’s capabilities. He further emphasizes ongoing cooperation with the U.S. military, particularly regarding shared concerns about Iranian threats, while maintaining that Israel defines and pursues its own security interests.
