Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that President Donald Trump is the one making decisions about how to proceed with Iran, telling ABC News he is not trying to persuade Trump to keep attacking the country while U.S. negotiations are underway.
Netanyahu sat down for an interview on ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis. He described the U.S.-Israel relationship in terms of seniority. "The truth is, we're partners. We're allies. He's the senior partner. It's the United States of America, let's not forget. And I'm a junior partner. But I'm the prime minister of Israel, and when I have to stand up for the interest of my country and the security of my country, I do so," Netanyahu said.
He added: "But I always do so with a deep appreciation of the role that the United States under President Trump has played in joining forces with us against our common enemy that wants to destroy us both."
The comments came after weeks of public friction between the two leaders. Trump had called Netanyahu "crazy" and declared that without him, "there would be no Israel." The prime minister's visit to Washington earlier this week included a closed-door meeting with Trump at the White House.
Netanyahu also addressed comments made by Vice President J.D. Vance on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast earlier this month. Vance had claimed that elements within Netanyahu's government were "manipulating" U.S. public opinion and running a paid campaign to derail U.S.-Iran peace negotiations. He also claimed certain Israeli figures wanted to prolong the conflict indefinitely.
Netanyahu denied it and said he had spoken with Vance Wednesday morning. "Well, we're not actually. I had a very good conversation with the vice president this morning, and I think we straightened that out because we're not. That's not our policy," he said.
On a diplomatic resolution with Iran, Netanyahu expressed doubt without ruling it out entirely. "Well, I don't know if it's unlikely, but I'm skeptical about Iran's modus operandi, I mean, the method of operating. They always lie, they always cheat, and they always play for time. Could that, within sufficient pressure -- diplomatic, economic pressure -- could that change? Give it a try," he said.
Netanyahu also pointed to social media and bot farms as a possible explanation for shifting American public opinion on Israel. Recent polls show declining U.S. support for Israel, according to ABC News. The war is now in its sixth month.
