Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected claims that Israel pushed U.S. President Donald Trump into a conflict with Iran, while also insisting that the United States was not involved in a recent strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field. Netanyahu made the remarks during a press briefing on Thursday amid growing scrutiny over coordination between the two allies.
The comments came after former Trump counter-intelligence official Joe Kent accused Israel of influencing Trump’s decision to join the ongoing conflict. Netanyahu dismissed the allegation as “fake news,” emphasizing that Trump acts independently in determining U.S. policy.
“Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?” Netanyahu said. “President Trump always makes his decisions based on what is good for America and what is good for future generations.”
He added that U.S. and Israeli forces continue to work in close coordination, describing joint military and intelligence efforts as highly effective. Despite this cooperation, Netanyahu stressed that Israel acted alone in targeting the South Pars gas field, one of the largest natural gas sites in the world.
Netanyahu also said he would respect Trump’s request to avoid further strikes on oil and gas infrastructure in the region. The U.S. president had publicly criticized the attack, stating he neither approved nor supported the move.
Speaking during an Oval Office meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Trump said he had advised Netanyahu against carrying out the strike. “I told him, ‘Don’t do that,’” Trump said, adding that while the two leaders generally coordinate closely, there are instances where they disagree.
Despite Trump’s remarks, sources familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that the United States had prior knowledge of Israel’s plans. One source indicated that Israeli targets are typically coordinated with U.S. officials, although the extent of involvement in this specific strike remains unclear.
Netanyahu sought to downplay any tension between the two leaders, highlighting their longstanding alliance. He described Trump as a strong partner and reiterated that the United States remains the leading force in the relationship, with Israel acting as a close ally.
The strike on South Pars has added to escalating tensions in the region. Iran reportedly responded by targeting liquefied natural gas facilities in Qatar, raising concerns about broader instability affecting global energy supplies.
The United States and Israel have pursued different but overlapping military objectives in the conflict. U.S. operations have focused on weakening Iran’s missile capabilities, nuclear program, and naval forces. Israel, meanwhile, has carried out a series of targeted strikes, including high-profile assassinations, aimed at undermining Iran’s leadership.
Netanyahu has framed the conflict as an opportunity to reshape the Middle East, suggesting that a weakened Iranian government could lead to more moderate leadership in Tehran. However, Trump has recently taken a more cautious stance on the prospect of regime change.
While the president has consistently stated that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains his primary goal, he has expressed doubts about the likelihood of internal uprisings against Iran’s leadership. In a recent interview, Trump pointed to the strength of Iran’s internal security forces as a major obstacle to such change.
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told lawmakers that Washington’s objectives differ from those of Israel, particularly regarding the scope of military actions and long-term outcomes.
Despite these differences, both leaders have emphasized continued cooperation. Trump has acknowledged that variations in approach are natural given the geographic and strategic differences between the two nations.
The evolving situation underscores both the strength of the U.S.-Israel alliance and the complexities of aligning strategies in a rapidly intensifying regional conflict.
English (United States) ·