In a dramatic address on a recent military operation, President Donald Trump informed the world about US airstrikes targeting three critical Iranian nuclear sites.
During his address, he expressed gratitude to several individuals and institutions, most notably thanking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demonstrating a fluctuating partnership that has characterized their relationship.
Trump praised Netanyahu for their collaboration in addressing what he described as a “horrible threat to Israel,” referring specifically to Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
“I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu,” he stated.
He went on to assert that they had worked as a team unlike any other before, emphasizing their shared goal of countering Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“We’ve gone a long way in erasing this horrible threat to Israel,” Trump declared.
In his remarks, Trump did not shy away from issuing a warning to Iran, urging it to accept what he characterized as a path to peace, which in effect included surrendering its nuclear program as defined by the United States.
He cautioned, “If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier.”
Notably, while Israel is widely considered to possess a nuclear arsenal, it has never officially acknowledged this fact.
Trump’s strikes came after nine consecutive days of Israeli missile attacks targeting Iran, particularly its nuclear sites.
Israeli forces had lacked the capacity to significantly impact Fordow, Iran’s most covert nuclear facility, but US military action decisively targeted it alongside key sites in Natanz and Isfahan.
This decision to stand firmly with Netanyahu and engage in military action against Iran has split public opinion among Trump’s supporters.
Upon hearing Trump’s endorsement, Netanyahu responded warmly, aligning with Trump’s sentiments.
In a recorded video statement, he lauded Trump’s “bold decision” to strike Iran’s facilities as a move that would reshape history.
“America has been truly unsurpassed,” Netanyahu emphasized, reiterating that Trump’s actions were vital in preventing what he termed the world’s most dangerous regime from acquiring the world’s most perilous weapons.
He proclaimed that history would reflect Trump’s leadership as a crucial pivot towards prosperity and peace in the Middle East.
Netanyahu reiterated a recurring theme from their dialogue: “Peace through strength,” implying that military might precedes lasting peace.
Interestingly, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has publicly maintained that it does not believe Iran was actively developing a nuclear weapon, a viewpoint corroborated by various US intelligence assessments.
However, Trump has refuted this consensus in recent days, asserting that his appointed spy chief and the broader intelligence community’s findings were incorrect.
Reflecting on their partnership, Trump’s first term (2017-2021) saw a notably close alliance with Netanyahu.
Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the relocation of the US embassy there marked a significant policy shift that benefited Netanyahu domestically.
Moreover, Trump appointed David Friedman as ambassador, a choice aligned with the Israeli settler movement, enhancing their diplomatic ties.
In a pivotal moment for Israeli sovereignty, Trump recognized Israeli control over the Golan Heights, a contested region universally acknowledged as part of Syria.
During the Trump administration, significant diplomatic milestones were achieved, including the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
Trump took a definitive stance on the Iran nuclear deal, formally withdrawing the US from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in May 2018.
He condemned the agreement for being fundamentally flawed due to inadequate assurances regarding Iran’s missile capabilities and regional influence.
Despite these tight-knit relations, fractures in their partnership began to emerge after the 2020 US presidential election.
In a December 2021 interview, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s prompt congratulatory message to President Joe Biden after the election, which Trump has consistently disputed.
“That was a terrible mistake,” Trump remarked, showcasing the palpable shift in their relationship as he expressed his feelings of betrayal and disappointment.
Despite the declining warmth, Trump’s administration later aligned itself with Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip.
Although initially suggested to mediate a ceasefire, the US eventually supported Netanyahu’s ongoing military operations against the Palestinians.
In a joint press conference earlier this year, Trump even proposed that the US should intercede in the Gaza situation by redeveloping the area and relocating its inhabitants, a notion Israeli leadership found favor in.
Continuing tensions resurfaced in March, marked by Israel’s escalation in military airstrikes in Gaza and confirmation that Trump had been consulted prior to these operations.
Trump’s ambivalence regarding Iran, however, has seen multiple shifts in policy, with periods of alignment with Netanyahu trailing off into suggestions of diplomacy.
Between April and June 2025, the US engaged in back-channel negotiations with Iran via Oman, leading Trump to report they were “getting very close” to achieving a new nuclear deal.
In later stages of these discussions, Trump communicated to Netanyahu to delay military action against Iran, asking for more time to navigate the complex diplomatic dialogue.
Culminating tensions reached a peak when Israel executed significant airstrikes on Iranian sites, which resulted in heavy casualties among key nuclear scientists and military figures.
The overarching US response to these strikes highlighted divergences in the approach to Iran, with Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, emphasizing that the US wouldn’t be involved in unilateral actions against Iran.
The diplomatic landscape underwent further strain as the US and Iran’s negotiations faltered post-strikes, while Trump showed awareness and eventual support for Israeli military initiatives.
By mid-June, Trump set an ultimatum for Iran to engage in negotiations, setting the stage for escalating military rhetoric.
In essence, the intricate interplay between Trump and Netanyahu illustrates a multifaceted relationship marked by both partnership and friction, particularly surrounding military strategies and diplomatic efforts concerning Iran.
image source from：aljazeera
