US President Donald Trump has claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nearly disrupted efforts to secure a peace agreement with Iran after Israel carried out an airstrike on Beirut, Lebanon’s capital. According to Trump, the strike delayed negotiations between Washington and Tehran and complicated progress toward a deal.
Speaking in a phone interview with The New York Times, Trump described Netanyahu as “a very difficult guy” and suggested that Israel should be grateful for US diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
“He’s a very difficult guy,” Trump said. “And to be honest with you, he should be very thankful to us for doing this. Because if Iran had a nuclear weapon, Israel wouldn’t be around for two hours.”
The United States and Iran have both announced that they have agreed to an “immediate and permanent” halt to military operations across all fronts, including in Lebanon. The agreement is expected to be formally signed in Switzerland on June 19 and will outline measures for reopening commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as well as establishing a framework for the future of Iran’s nuclear program.
However, the deal may face resistance from Israel, which was not involved in the negotiations and has yet to officially respond to the reported agreement between Washington and Tehran.
Reports suggest that Netanyahu may have domestic political incentives to continue pursuing military action against Iran and its regional allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Middle East Guardian
Trump also told The New York Times that if Iran’s leadership failed to finalize a nuclear agreement with the United States within the timeframe outlined in the proposed deal, the US military could resume strikes against Iran. Alternatively, he suggested that the United States could assume the role of a “guardian of the Middle East” in exchange for 20 percent of the region’s revenues.
He further claimed that the memorandum of understanding reached with Iran would guarantee that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains permanently free of tolls.
When asked whether key US allies in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, supported his proposal for America to serve as a paid security force for the region, Trump did not provide a direct response. Instead, he indicated that discussions on the matter were only beginning.
“It would only happen,” Trump said, “if Iran remained an adversary.”
Trump also described Iran’s current leadership, including the new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, as pragmatic. The characterization marked a significant shift from his stance at the outset of the conflict, when he called on the Iranian people to overthrow their government following the completion of American and Israeli military operations.