Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has played down reports of tensions with Donald Trump after being asked about the US President’s admission that he called him “f***ing crazy” during a heated conversation over Israel’s military actions in Lebanon.
Speaking in an interview with CNBC on Wednesday, Netanyahu said disagreements with Trump were limited to tactics. A day later, Trump confirmed a report by Axios that he used the expletive during a phone call with Netanyahu as Washington tried to keep fragile negotiations with Iran from collapsing.
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“We can disagree in the morning” and find common ground by the afternoon, Netanyahu said, describing the relationship as one between close allies who occasionally differ on strategy.
TRUMP-NETANYAHU CLASH OVER LEBANON
The controversy stems from a phone call that took place as the US sought to prevent the conflict from spreading further across the Middle East after Iran suspended indirect talks with the US over the Israeli military campaign in Lebanon, particularly attacks linked to Hezbollah targets in Beirut.
“You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this,” Trump reportedly had told Netanyahu.
The US President later explained that he was not angry but was “a little bit perturbed” by Israel’s continued fighting in Lebanon at a time when Washington was trying to advance talks with Iran.
Asked about the apparent rift, Netanyahu dismissed speculations of serious breakdown.
“Sometimes we have, as in the best of families, you have these tactical disagreements. But we always find a way to work them out, and we do so as great friends,” he said.
IRAN REMAINS COMMON FOCUS
Much of the interview centred on Iran, which Netanyahu again pointed at as a major threat to both Israel and the United States. The Israeli PM said he and Trump remain united on the need to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“Those include preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and threatening Israel with it,” Netanyahu said while discussing areas of agreement with the US President. The Israeli leader believes that Iran’s leadership has been weakened by months of conflict and pressure.
He also flagged that internal cracks were emerging inside Iran and predicted that the country’s leadership would face growing challenges, though he declined to speculate on when regime change might occur.
NO SIGN OF A BREAK WITH TRUMP
Despite speculation about a rift, Netanyahu repeatedly emphasised that relations between the two leaders remain strong. He called Trump Israel’s “greatest friend” and highlighted years of cooperation between Washington and Jerusalem.
Netanyahu revealed that he speaks with Trump frequently, saying the two leaders are in contact roughly every other day.
“I speak with him once every two days,” he said.
The Israeli PM also praised Trump’s approach to the conflict with Iran, including the US naval blockade targeting Iranian ports and efforts to pressure Tehran into a broader agreement.
MIDDLE EAST HOSTILITIES FLARE
The conundrum took place as tensions across the region remained high.
Fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has continued despite Trump’s announcement of a partial ceasefire in Lebanon. Iran has repeatedly linked developments in Lebanon to overall negotiations with the Trump administration, saying that any lasting agreement must address both fronts.
At the same time, the war spread further across the Gulf on Wednesday. Iran launched fresh attacks on Kuwait, while US forces carried out new military operations near the Strait of Hormuz.
– Ends
With inputs from agencies
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
