In a revelation amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran, a new report has emerged claiming that former President Donald Trump assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of U.S. support for potential Israeli strikes on Iran's ballistic missile program. The disclosure, reported by CBS News on Sunday citing two sources familiar with the matter, comes just ahead of the second round of U.S.-Iran talks scheduled for this week.
The alleged promise was made during Netanyahu's visit to Florida in December last year. According to the sources, Trump told Netanyahu that he would back Israeli strikes if the U.S. and Iran failed to reach a deal on the nuclear issue. This development underscores the complex dynamics between Washington, Jerusalem, and Tehran as negotiations loom.
Netanyahu addressed the matter more recently, stating on Monday that he had informed Trump last week of Israel's firm position on any potential U.S. deal with Iran. Speaking at the annual Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Netanyahu emphasized that such an agreement must go beyond merely halting enrichment and instead require the full dismantling of Iran's nuclear infrastructure.
"There shall be no enrichment capability - not stopping the enrichment process, but dismantling the equipment and the infrastructure that allows you to enrich in the first place," Netanyahu declared. He expressed skepticism about reaching a deal but insisted that any agreement must include the removal of enriched material from Iran.
The timing of the report is particularly significant, as Iran has signaled flexibility in pursuing a nuclear agreement with the U.S. that would deliver economic benefits for both sides. Tehran is seeking a pact amid ongoing escalations, with the second round of talks set to commence this week.
Trump's purported stance reflects longstanding concerns over Iran's ballistic missile capabilities and nuclear ambitions, issues that have strained U.S.-Israel relations with successive administrations. Netanyahu's public remarks reinforce Israel's red lines, potentially influencing the trajectory of the upcoming negotiations.
