In an interview with The Times of Israel overnight Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump clarified that while the final word on when the war with Iran ends will be his, the decision will be made in full coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the President: "Iran wanted to destroy Israel and everything around it, so we worked together—and we destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel."
President Trump praised the cooperation with PM Netanyahu, stating: "Bibi is doing an excellent job. We worked together; we destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel. Iran would have destroyed Israel if I wasn’t around. And if Bibi wasn’t around, Israel wouldn’t exist today."
When asked if Israel could continue the war with Iran after the U.S. concludes its involvement, the President replied: "I don’t think that will be necessary."
Trump doubled down on his criticism of Israeli President Isaac Herzog regarding Netanyahu's ongoing legal cases: "He needs to give Bibi that pardon immediately. I think he is doing a terrible thing by not granting it. We want Bibi focused on the war, not on a ridiculous pardon. Tell this President to give him a pardon now."
